Burnaby, B.C. – The Pat Quinn Classic U15 Elite Invitational tournament returns for a second year with an impressive list of 23 teams from Canada and the United States. In 2023, the Pat Quinn Classic introduced a new standalone U15 Elite Invitational tournament featuring 16 teams. “We are building on the success of the first U15 Elite Invitational as we strive to make this one of the top events for top young hockey players,” says Joe Saloustros, co-founder of Inside Edge Hockey.
Hosted in Burnaby and Delta from November 14-17, 2024, in collaboration with Inside Edge Hockey, the U15 Elite Invitational promises a high-level hockey experience for players, coaches and fans.
An analysis by Sport Burnaby shows the 2023 U15 Elite Invitational generated nearly half a million dollars in direct spending for lodging, transportation, food and beverage, retail, recreation and local, provincial and federal taxes. When accounting for the associated economic impact, the 2023 event generated more than $793,000 in total business sales.
“Hosting high-calibre sport events supports the development of young athletes and creates a positive economic contribution to our community,” says Robyn Hughes, director of Sport Burnaby. “We are pleased to see the growth of this tournament and increased interest from teams in only the second year of the U15 Elite Invitational.”
The November 2024 tournament features two flights of teams:
- Burnaby Winter Club U15 Prep (CSSHL Prep)
- California Goldrush 14U AAA (USA Tier 1)
- Cariboo Cougars BC Zone (U15 Elite Hockey League)
- Couer D’Alene Hockey Academy (CSSHL Prep)
- Delta Hockey Academy U15 AAA (Black) (CSSHL Varsity)
- Delta Hockey Academy U15 Prep (Green) (Canadian Sport School Hockey League – CSSHL Prep)
- Fraser Valley Thunderbirds U15 AAA (U15 Elite Hockey League)
- Greater Vancouver Canadians U15 AAA (U15 Elite Hockey League)
- Little Caesars 14U Detroit (USA Tier 1)
- North Shore Warriors Hockey Academy U15 Prep (CSSHL Prep)
- North West Hawks (U15 Elite Hockey League)
- Northern Alberta Extreme (CSSHL Prep)
- Okanagan Rockets (U15 Elite Hockey League)
- Pacific Coast Hockey Academy U15 Prep (CSSHL Prep)
- San Jose Jr Sharks 14U AAA (USA Hockey Tier 1)
- Shawnigan Lake Academy U15 Prep (CSSHL Prep)
- St. Georges Hockey Academy U15 Prep (CSSHL Prep)
- Team Alaska 14U (USA Hockey Tier 1)
- Texas Tigers (USA AA)
- Valley West Giants (U15 Elite Hockey League)
- Vancouver North East Chiefs (U15 Elite Hockey League)
- Wenatchee Wild 14U
- Yale U15 Prep (CSSHL Prep)
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the December multi-division Pat Quinn Classic tournament, taking place December 27-31, 2024. Registration is selling out fast:
Backgrounder – The Pat Quinn Classic
The Burnaby Minor Hockey Association began hosting the annual December Bantam hockey tournament in 1962. It is now the longest-running event of its kind in the world. The tournament became the Pat Quinn Classic in 2015, named after the legendary player, coach, general manager and team owner. Pat Quinn is internationally-recognized as one of the hockey’s greatest coaches and ambassadors. Proceeds go to the Pat Quinn Scholarship Fund. Managed by Hockey Canada, the fund supports players in post-secondary education after their hockey careers. Quinn is one of the most recognizable faces in Canadian sport and has made an enormous contribution to sport in British Columbia and Canada.
The objective of the Pat Quinn Classic is to create a top international-calibre tournament in Western Canada to showcase local teams alongside some of the strongest programs in Canada, the U.S. and around the world. Organizers worked with the Quinn family to create a unique tournament that strikes the right balance between exciting hockey, skill and leadership development and community engagement. Pat motivated players at all levels to work hard on the ice and live with passion and integrity off the ice. The vision of this tournament exemplifies his love of hockey and his unwavering commitment to give back to the community.
MEDIA CONTACT: info@patquinnclassic.com