Entries for the 44th annual Vernon Coca-Cola Pee Wee Invitational Hockey Classic have been confirmed.
The Vernon Watkin Motors Mustangs will be joined in the Coca-Cola Division by the Seafair Islanders of Richmond, Spokane Jr. Chiefs and Langley Eagles, Feb. 12-15, at Civic Arena.
The Kelowna Rockets, Bow Valley Flames of Calgary, Seattle Jr. NW Admirals and the Chilliwack Bruins will play out of the Sun Valley Source For Sports Division.
“We had 22 applications from as far away as Saskatchewan and Washington State,” said tournament chairman Marty Stein.
“We don’t normally choose teams from close by, but Jeff Finley’s son, Jack, plays for Kelowna and Jeff was captain of Vernon’s 1980 team in the tournament. We always try to accommodate sons of fathers who have been in the tournament.”
There are also some familiar names amongst the coaches with former NHLer Dean McAmmond head coach of the Mustangs and ex-NHL goalie Byron Dafoe coaching Kelowna.
One-time Vernon Viper winger Curtis Fraser is an assistant with Langley, while ex-Chilliwack Chief superstar Doug Ast coaches the Bruins.
The Calgary Blackfoot Chiefs edged the Warman Wildcats of Saskatchewan 3-2 in last year’s A final, while the Edmonton K of C Lancers iced Vernon 7-2 in the B championship.
