Bantam AAA Storm score a goal Photo Credit: Everything GP

By Shane Clausing

GPAC Storm Crown Tourney

Bantam AAA Golden Arrow Storm travel to Edmonton for major tournament

Jan 16, 2020 | 3:04 PM

The Bantam AAA Golden Arrow Storm have made the trip to Edmonton this weekend to compete in the Western Canadian Crown Elite Bantam Invitational tournament.

The tournament is in its second year and brings together 16 teams from across Western Canada to compete in the weekend tourney. In order to qualify for the tournament, teams had to submit applications and be approved to participate.

This weekend in Edmonton is huge for all Western Hockey League (WHL) personnel. The Crown tournament is just one of two major bantam tournaments going on around the city.

The other tournament is being played in St. Albert and is called the John Reid Memorial tournament. That tournament has teams from Western Canada and the United States participating in it. It is known for being one of the biggest tournaments in Western Canada.

“The crown tournament is very similar to the John Reid, it’s still very elite competition and highly scouted by WHL scouts and junior scouts. You need to prove something to be invited here,” said Mike Brown, the Head Coach of the Bantam AAA Golden Arrow Storm.

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The tournament gives the bantam players a chance to have their skills noticed by top GM’s and scouts from the WHL.

“It’s a great opportunity for the kids to showcase their skills and work, and put together a good case for the draft,” said Brown.

The WHL draft takes place in May. The best Bantam players in Canada are selected by 22 WHL teams.

The teams will play a minimum of three games in the tournament. Each group has four teams, and the top two teams in the group will advance to a playoff round on the weekend.

“We’ve got a strong team this year. If we show up and put the work and effort in there’s no reason why we can’t have a good standing in this tournament.”

The Storm won their first game early Thursday morning 3-0 against a team from Saskatoon. They’ll play another game Thursday night against Sherwood Park at 6:20 p.m. and finish the group stage on Friday afternoon against the Northern Alberta Xtreme.