The U18 AAA Calgary Buffaloes and U18 AAA Edmonton Jr. Oilers White are gearing up for their respective national championships.
After sweeping the Sherwood Park Ennis Kings in their best-of-five series, the Calgary Buffaloes have qualified for the Pacific Regional Championship against the Vancouver North East Giants in Burnaby, B.C. The winner of the best-of-three series earns a berth in the 2024 Telus Cup, April 22-28 in Membertou, Nova Scotia.
Game 1 of the series against Vancouver is set for April 5, with puck drop taking place at 5:30 M.T. Game 2 takes place the following day at 5:30 M.T. If necessary, the third and final game is April 7 at 1:00 M.T.
The Buffaloes are hosting viewing parties for all three games at The Bench YYC, with various food options available, as well as a 50/50 draw. A portion of the profits made by The Bench YYC are being donated to help support the Buffaloes.
U18 AAA PACIFIC REGIONAL STREAM >
The team’s full schedule can be found below:
| Calgary Buffaloes Pacific Regional Championship schedule | ||
| April 5 | Calgary Buffaloes vs Vancouver North East Chiefs | 5:30 P.M. M.T. |
| April 6 | Calgary Buffaloes vs Vancouver North East Chiefs | 5:30 P.M. M.T. |
| April 7* | Calgary Buffaloes vs Vancouver North East Chiefs | 1:00 P.M. M.T. |
The Edmonton Jr. Oilers had a dominant performance at the AFHL U18 AAA provincial tournament, going undefeated in four games. Jr. Oilers White scored 10 goals while only allowing four and defeated the Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs in the gold medal game by a 2-1 score.
With the provincial victory Jr. Oilers White punched its ticket to the 2024 Esso Cup, in Vernon, B.C. The British Columbia Elite Hockey League champion Thompson-Okanagan Lakers are this year’s host team for the Esso Cup, meaning both teams automatically qualify for the championship tournament April 21-27.
Edmonton’s first game is taking place April 21 against the Quebec league champion at 4:00 P.M. M.T. They follow that up with games on April 22 to 25 against the remaining champions from across the country.
The team’s full schedule can be found below:
| Edmonton Jr. Oilers White Esso Cup schedule | ||
| April 21 | Edmonton Jr. Oilers White vs Quebec | 4:00 M.T. |
| April 22 | Edmonton Jr. Oilers White vs Thompson-Okanagan Lakers | 5 P.M. M.T. |
| April 23 | Edmonton Jr. Oilers White vs West | 6:00 P.M. M.T. |
| April 24 | Edmonton Jr. Oilers White vs Atlantic | 6:00 P.M. M.T. |
| April 25 | Edmonton Jr. Oilers White vs Ontario | 12:00 P.M. M.T. |
| April 26 | Semifinals | TBD |
| April 27 | Bronze Medal Game | 1:00 P.M. M.T. |
| April 27 | Gold Medal Game | 5:00 P.M. M.T. |