U13 team looks to win iconic tournament for second straight year
One-hundred and twenty youth hockey teams will take part in the 63rd annual Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, starting this week. For the AAA division, 28 2010-born squads from three countries — Canada, the United States and Czechia — will suit up for action.
And taking a look at the participants at this year’s event, it’s safe to say the games will be jam-packed with action.
Canada’s clubs are ready to defend home ice, as four of the Top 10 teams in the Canadian Rankings are lacing up their skates. No. 2 Sun County Panthers and their explosive offense will be leading the way. No. 8 Burnaby Winter Club and No. 10 North Shore Winter Club will be bringing the skill from Western Canada. The No. 7 Patriotes Laval will be put to the test as well. Not to mention the defending champion Montreal Canadiens will be out to repeat what last year’s 2009 team achieved.
A decent contingent of U.S. teams will also be making appearances. The No. 2 Boston Jr. Eagles, No. 5 Minuteman Flames, No. 7 Pittsburgh Penguins Elite and No. 9 Buffalo Jr. Sabres will all be striving to add their names to the prestigious list of past winners. There are even some teams, such as the New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers who have built their rosters as collections of the top talent from their respective locations.
One lone club from overseas will be in attendance, but make no mistake they are veterans of making some noise at the Pee-Wee Quebec. The Czech Knights, winners of the 2018 and 2020 tournament, will look to make things difficult for their opponents. The team also comes in with a bit of a chip on their shoulder, as they fell to the Canadiens in overtime in the championship game last year.
With AAA teams being included at the Pee-Wee beginning in 2014, the Knights have certainly been a mainstay among the top performers at the competition since then.
Both the Knights and Canadiens face tough tests right out of the gate. The Canadiens will open against the Los Angeles Jr. Kings, a club that won the 2019 AAA division. The Knights begin action with Lions Lac St-Louis.
For fans wanting to stay up to date with the latest scores, standings and more, there is an official mobile app you can download HERE.
Plus, WHH will have exclusive coverage, recaps, predictions and more as the tournament unfolds! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Discord and YouTube!
