Game On Magazine 2017 Game On Magazine - Regular Season Edition | Page 55

Granted, the Winnipeg Jets Challenge Cup is part of Court’s job description, but it’s also a labor of love. His tournament days start at 6:15 and end at “9:30 or 10 each night.” The goal set by Court and the hard-working Iceplex team around him is to give kids “a great hockey experience.” “This year, we had a Jets practice at the Iceplex right in the middle of the tournament and that was great for the kids,” Court said. “many of the out of towns teams requested an opportunity to go to the Jets game while they attended the tournament. We were able to set their schedules up so they could see a Jets game while they were here. In all, more than 200 kids from outside the region had a chance to go to a Jets game, something they probably wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to do.” Even though the tournament is loaded with talent, especially the players in the Winnipeg Jets Triple AAA Classic and the Double AA Showdown, Court’s favorite part of the tournaments might surprise people. “My favorites are the 5-6-year-old House League kids,” Court said with a laugh. “They’re so entertaining. 10 kids will go scooting for the puck and nobody will come up with it and the crowd will go wild. And they do get the best crowds. All the moms and dads and grandparents are there. It’s the most fun part of the tournament.” And these tournaments are now becoming a must-do for teams from all over the world. ❍ The 2017 Jets Challenge Cup Division Champions WINNIPEG JETS BANTAM AAA CLASSIC Winnipeg Sharks WINNIPEG JETS AA SHOWDOWN Bantam Division Pee Wee Division St Vital Victorias St James Canucks WINNIPEG JETS CHALLENGE CUP FEMALE DIVISION CHAMPIONS APHA Polar Bears Novice A1 Rockets Navy Atom A1 APHA Polar Bears Atom A2 Northern Lights Peewee A2 BOYS DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONS KW Canucks Novice A1 Brandon Wheat Kings Minor Atom A1 St James Canucks Minor Atom A2 Minor Atom A3 Northern Lights Atom A1 Atom A2 Atom A3 Minor Pee Wee A1 Minor Pee Wee A2 Minor Pee Wee A3 APHA Winterhawks Blue St Eustache Jets APHA Winterhawks Red APHA Winterhawks White BV St James Canucks Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy Pee Wee A2 Pee Wee A3 Bantam A1 St Eustache Jets PHA Stonewall Blues Brandon Wheat Kings Note: No division champions for the 5-6 House League and Novice B. FOLLOW THE BOUNCING PUCK RE GUL A R S E A S ON E DI TI ON 201 8 | G AM E O N | 5 5