Burnaby, B.C. – Two 14-year-old hockey players from the Vancouver Northeast Chiefs U15 team are this year’s recipients of the Vancouver Canucks Alumni Association Scholarships. The $2,500 scholarships are available to B.C. players competing in the Pat Quinn Classic U15 Elite Invitational.
Liam Wang of Burnaby and Chase Phillips of Port Coquitlam have been recognized for their on-ice skills, academic accomplishments and contributions to their community.
“All of the applicants were great,” said Kalli Quinn, who is on the selection committee. “It was a hard decision.” Quinn says her father Pat believed in players who are “a well-rounded person, both on and off the ice.”
Liam Wang, Vancouver Northeast Chiefs U15
Liam Wang, a student at Burnaby Central Secondary School, says he is dedicated in and passionate for all of his endeavours. “On and off the ice, I always look for opportunities to help others. I love watching my teammates improve instantly after teaching them,” says Wang. “Helping teammates is something that brings teams together and makes everyone feel included.” At school, Wang is taking pre-calculus 10, even though he’s in grade nine. He plays trombone for the junior band and is part of the school volleyball team. Outside of school, he helps with the First Shift program aimed at introducing young kids to hockey. In the future, he wants to become a sports physiotherapist who works with athletes to recover from their injuries.
“Liam embodies the values that the Pat Quinn Classic stands for: integrity, hard work, teamwork and a love for the game,” says Ben Nottingham, Vancouver NE Chiefs U15 AAA head coach.
Chase Phillips, Vancouver Northeast Chiefs U15
Chase Phillips, a grade nine student at Terry Fox Secondary School in Port Coquitlam, has played hockey for as long as he can remember. “My dad has told me stories about Pat Quinn over the years about how he was a hardworking defenceman who had a big heart and was always willing to help people,” says Phillips. “As a defenceman myself, I want to be like that. I want to be known for my actions, for how I treat others both on and off the ice and in the community.” He is accelerating at school, already taking grade 10 and 11 classes. In 2024, his Christian faith helped him get through a difficult situation when he was run over by a van suffering a thigh injury that needed 20 stitches. Miraculously, he was able to return to the ice in two weeks.
In addition to hockey, Phillips is a competitive swimmer. “Chase is one of the most dedicated, hardworking, and natural leaders I have had the pleasure of coaching,” says Tim Woinoski, assistant coach of the Port Coquitlam Marlins swim team. “Whether in or out of the pool, Chase displays exceptional leadership qualities that make him an invaluable member of our team.”
About the Pat Quinn Classic U15 Elite Invitational Scholarships
The scholarships are sponsored by the Vancouver Canucks Alumni under the name of Ernie Dougherty. Dougherty passed away in 2022 and was the last player remaining from the original Vancouver Canucks team in 1945-46. The selection committee, which includes a representative of the Quinn Family and Pat Quinn Classic Honourary Chair Cliff Ronning, reviews the applications and select the recipients.
About the Pat Quinn Classic U15 Elite Invitational
The Pat Quinn Classic U15 Elite Invitational was created in 2023 as a standalone tournament. It builds on the legacy of the Pat Quinn Classic annual holiday season tournament. Sixteen teams from B.C., Alberta and the United States competed in the 2025 edition at venues in Burnaby, Coquitlam and Delta.
The multi-division Pat Quinn Classic is marking its 10th year under the Pat Quinn name next month. The competition continues December 27 to 31, 2025 featuring games in eight other divisions from Female U11 to Integrated U17.
Media Contact
Info@patquinnclassic.com
Story by Sam Corea
Photos by Manto Nakamura