The 2023 edition of the Atlantic Challenge Cup (ACC) wrapped up on Oct. 9, 2023 and was deemed a “tremendous success” by tournament organizers.
Beginning on Oct. 6, the ACC brought together 20 teams from across Atlantic Canada for a total of 48 games across five divisions. Those divisions were the U14 and U16 female divisions, the U14 and U15 male divisions and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Cup.
Team Nova Scotia had a strong showing at the tournament, winning the QMJHL, U14 and U16 female divisions. Hockey New Brunswick won the other two divisions, the U14 and U15 male competitions.
The games caught the eye of hockey fans of all ages and demographics. Over the four days, everyone from parents to the public – and even some scouts – came out to experience the festivities.
“We all feel the tournament was a great success for everyone involved,” said Brogan Bailey, Director of High Performance and Events at Hockey New Brunswick.
“We want to try and offer them a great experience and an experience that has great professionalism and also give them that kind of competition against some of the best players in Atlantic Canada.”
According to Bailey, this year marks the first time a U14 female group was introduced to the tournament.
“That brings us in line with the male side in terms of entry for the females, so we thought that was important to give the girls the same entry point as the guys.”
The ACC is a large event for scouts to watch young, rising players. St. Thomas University women’s hockey player Jordan Chaulk said the ACC kickstarted her university career.
Chaulk played for Team Newfoundland and Labrador in 2018, where she was scouted to play for the Rothesay Netherwood School prep hockey team. From there, she was scouted to play for STU.
“If I hadn’t went to the Atlantic Challenge Cup, then I’m pretty sure I’d still be playing hockey in Newfoundland,” she said.
When asked about the experience training and getting prepared for the ACC, Chaulk said that her training was different from teammates who lived in more populated cities.
“I used to train at a little gym in a little elementary school in my hometown and I would train three times a week for the ACC,” she said, adding that she skated a few times a week for her home association, Bonavista.
One of the athletes who participated in this year’s tournament was Sophie Urquhart, a forward from Deer Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador. The grade 10 student represented her home province for the second time in her career at the ACC, where she led her team in scoring with four goals and one assist, totaling five points.
“Overall, it’s such a great experience playing against other people, meeting other people, and playing at a high level of hockey,” said Urquhart.
Her favorite part of the tournament was winning the bronze medal game for her division in overtime.
“It means a lot to say that I’m from Deer Lake and I went to play in Moncton in such a big tournament and high level.”
