It was a very successful Challenge Cup Tournament for the 1995 born POE Bantam players. With a team assembled from half of the Team 1 and half of the Team 2 players, the boys were able to get stronger with each game and reached the gold medal final game of the 16 team tournament. After going 5 and 0 during the first 5 games, the team lost a heartbreaking 2-1 OT game in the finals.

The boys opened the tournament with a 6-5 OT win, with the overtime winner coming off the stick of Cory Renwick. Being the team's first game together, there was definitely a process of getting to know one another on the ice. The second round robin game saw a much more cohesive unit power their way to a 7-0 victory as Connor Goudreau earned the shutout for POE. The round robin was completed with a 3-2 win and earned the team first place in their group.

The elimination round started with a 4-1 quarterfinal victory where once again Connor Goudreau was very solid in net. The offence was a very balanced effort including a timely short handed beauty from Cole Sanford, and a penalty shot clincher from Gavin Broadhead. The semi finals was another very hard fought victory. This time it was goaltender Josh Halpenny who stole the show stopping all but 1 shot in the 3-1 victory. Cole Sanford had another clutch goal off a great feed from Curtis Lazar who was once again a dominating force all weekend long. This game also saw a huge offensive contribution from Team 2 players Brandon Schaber and Nik Kovacik who really stepped up their game and got stronger as the weekend progressed. Schaber tucked the game winner into the top corner on a break away off of a nice dish from Kovacik. Kovacik then buried the insurance goal on a hard shot from the wing.

Although the 2-1 OT loss in the finals was disappointing, the game could have easily gone either way. Facing a very stacked Vancouver Millionaires squad who scored 41 goals in their first 5 games while giving up only 5, the POE boys would not go down without a fight. Curtis Lazar, playing on defense for the weekend, scored his team leading 7th goal of the tournament to put POE up 1-0. The boys tried to add to the lead but rang 3 shots off the post in the last half of the game. The lead held up until the Millionaires were able to tie the game on a power play, finally beating a stellar Goudreau with 5 minutes remaining. The heartbreaking game winner for the opposition came in the first minute of the 4 on 4 overtime.

Overall the weekend was a huge team effort with contributions coming from all sources. The boys also cleaned up the skills competition with Gavin Broadhead dominating the fastest skater event, Curtis Lazar winning the hardest shot, and Jameson Stoski taking home first in the agility puck handling.

The Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy in Kelowna, B.C would like to congratulate the POE players chosen in the 2010 WHL Bantam draft.

"These boys have shown tremendous commitment, discipline and work ethic everyday and it has culminated in recognition for their efforts." "They are not just excellent hockey players, but are also excellent young men and the POE is very proud of them" remarked Academy Director Dave Roy.

The players selected are as follows;
Curtis Lazar - (2nd overall) Edmonton Oil Kings
Brandon Potomak - Moose Jaw Warriors.
Tye Hand - Everett Silvertips
Jackson Whistle - Vancouver Giants
Gavin Broadhead - Medicine Hat Tigers
Cole Sanford - Medicine Hat Tigers
Dylan Bowen - Portland Winterhawks
Jameson Stoski - Calgary Hitman

The Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy has now had 19 of their players selected in the last two WHL Bantam Drafts.

Congratulations to all 11 of our Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy players who were selected in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft!

Download PDF here

Brandon Bruce - listed Sept. 08
Swift Current Broncos

Jordon Salahor - listed in July 08
Seattle Thunderbirds

Dalton Thrower - 29th
Chilliwack Bruins

Kurtis Bond -151st
Kamloops Blazers

Ryan Renz -159th
Calgary Hitmen

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