2015 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup

After a year off due to the Canada Winter Games, the fifth Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup ran from October 28 - November 1, 2015 at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary.

After a going a perfect 3-0 in round robin play with wins against Team BC, Team Saskatchewan and Team Manitoba, Team Alberta advanced directly to Sunday’s gold medal game. After beating BC in the semi-finals, Team Manitoba also found its way to the finals. After shutting out Team Manitoba 3-0 for the second straight game, Team Alberta claimed its fourth gold medal in the tournament’s five year history.

It didn’t take long for Team Alberta to strike, with goals from Sean Comrie and Ryley Appelt just over a minute apart to take a 2-0 lead partway through the first. Both teams were held off the score sheet through the second period, and most of the third, until Eric Florchuk scored with Manitoba’s net empty in favour of an extra skater. Florchuk finished the tournament with three goals, tied for the team lead with Chase Wouters. In his second start of the tournament, goalie Carl Stankowski stood tall for team Alberta, stopping all 27 shots he faced, and earning Player of the Game honours for his troubles.

"As a staff, we are extremely proud of this particular group," said Head Coach Bobby Fox. "They played the game the right way. There was a ton of heart-power in that locker room, and we expect these players to make a significant impact with their respective club teams this year and moving forward in the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence."