Earlier today, Rick Dhaliwal of NEWS 1130 and Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver reported that only the Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets will be participating at the Young Stars Classic in Penticton, British Columbia. The Oilers and Flames, who had been present in the showcase the previous few years, weren’t listed.
#Canucks announce the 2018 Young Stars Classic will return to the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC from Friday, September 7th to Sunday, September 9th. Just Canucks and Jets play 2 games each. UBC and U of Alberta play each other twice.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) May 9, 2018
The classic first started all the way back in 2010, featuring prospects from the Oilers, Flames, Canucks, Sharks, and Ducks. Back in that day, Oilers fans everywhere were glued to their computer screens trying to get a look at those deemed to be the saviours of the franchise — Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle.
Since 2014, the tournament had only involved the four Western Canadian clubs. Now it’ll only be the Canucks and Jets playing a set of games while the University of Alberta Golden Bears and University of British Columbia Thunderbirds play one another.
I recall there was some discussion that the other non-Canucks teams were wanting to host this tournament themselves and as a result there was a discussion about holding it somewhere other than Penticton. So expect Edmonton and Calgary’s prospects will play some kind of back-to-back instead this fall.
I heard we weren’t invited because you need to have prospects to join a prospect tournament.
You mean the 3 time defending champs of this tourney couldn’t go in it? Because a lack of prospects? Yeah don’t let ignorance stop either of you from commenting.
I’ve gone to several of these (if I couldn’t take in the whole weekend
I’d go to the Friday or Monday doubleheader) so I am biased. I think Penticton does a wonderful job and Oiler fans are scattered throughout the Okanogan. I think this is a mistake.
This is unfortunate, this tourney was a good showcase for the young guys to get a taste of the next step in their careers.
Take a deep breath, it’s just a joke. They are quite common on the internet, it’s not just for porn you know.
Unfortunately there is not enough prospects to ice a team.
That sucks…4 of us have traveled from Edmonton to Penticton for a golf/hockey destination over the last 5 years. It was always such an awesome trip to get ready for the hockey season. Oilers probably think they can make a buck so they cancel.
I am not happy to hear this. I loved going to the games and watching the young stars from Edmonton. I hope this year is an anomaly.
I wonder if the Flames going to China for pre-season games and the Oilers going to Germany and Sweden have anything to do with it. I’ve heard the SS games with the Oilers and Flames isn’t happening becuse of that.
Incredibly disappointing. Im an Oil fan living in BC and I’ve attended this tourney the last three seasons. 🙁