April 2, 1996
NR.032

FINALISTS DECIDED FOR WHL CUP WESTERN CANADA
BANTAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Top Bantam players come to Lethbridge

LETHBRIDGE (Alberta) - The 1995 WHL Cup champions, Alberta's Red Deer Rebels, are set to defend their title for the Western Canada Bantam Championship scheduled for Lethbridge, Alberta, from April 11-14, 1996.

The five-team bantam-aged championship is sponsored by the Western Hockey League and co-presented by Canadian Hockey and the Lethbridge Athletic Association.

The Rebels are joined by 1995 and 1996 Manitoba champions, the Winnipeg Monarchs, the Estevan Bruins of Saskatchewan, B.C.'s Cranbrook Eagles, and the host Lethbridge squad, the Val Matteotti Golden Hawks.

Red Deer had a strong 1995-96 season, placing first in the Alberta Major Bantam League and winning the playoff run to the provincial title. The Rebels also claimed two tournaments this season, taking the gold medal in the Red Deer and St. Albert tournaments. Three Rebel players won individual league awards. Brett Girard was awarded the top scorer and top forward prizes, while Ryan Melbourne received the most sportsmanlike trophy, and Erik Lodge shared the top defenceman honour.

The Winnipeg Monarchs defeated Brandon 5-2 in the Manitoba gold medal game to reach the 1996 WHL Cup. The Monarchs finished second during the regular season with 15 wins, nine losses and six ties, but went undefeated in five games in the playoffs.

The Estevan Bruins reached the Western Canada Championship by beating out the Worman Wildcats 7-6 in the provincial final. Over the 1995-96 season, they recorded a total tournament and league record of 37 wins, 16 losses and 12 ties.

The Cranbrook Eagles wrapped up their regular season in first place, recording only one loss in 16 games. Over their complete 59-game schedule, the Eagles had 36 victories, 15 defeats and 8 draws. Their playoff record of three wins, one loss and a tie earned them a berth in the WHL Cup.

As host club, Lethbridge's Val Matteotti Golden Hawks bring with them ample experience. Since 1989, the Golden Hawks have participated in four Western Canada Bantam Championships with gold medal performances in 1989 and 1993.

To add to the excitement throughout the WHL Cup, Sears Canada will present the Canadian HockeyFEST Œ96. Festival activities will include events such as coaches clinics, a guest officials program, an educational and hockey options clinic with educational consultant Jim Donlevy, Initiation Program demonstrations and more.

Ticket prices and packages are as follows: round-robin game pass for adults $5, students $3; round-robin day pass $10; round-robin (10 games) for adults $30, for families $70; bronze and gold medal game pass $7. Children seven years of age and under are admitted free of charge.

The 1995 WHL Cup was played in Flin Flon, Manitoba, with Alberta's Red Deer Rebels winning gold with 4-1 victory over the Prince Albert Busline of Saskatchewan. In the bronze medal game, British Columbia's Victoria Racquet Club Kings edged the Winnipeg Monarchs 5-4.

Past Western Canada Bantam Champions include: 1994 Leduc Oil Barons (Alberta); 1993 Lethbridge Golden Hawks (Alberta); 1992 Winnipeg Hawks (Manitoba); 1991 Winnipeg South Mavericks (Manitoba); 1990 Winnipeg Hawks (Manitoba); 1989 Lethbridge Golden Hawks (Alberta); 1988 Fort Saskatchewan Selects (Saskatchewan); 1987 Winnipeg Saints (Manitoba); 1986 Red Deer Moose Chiefs (Alberta); 1985 St. Boniface Saints (Manitoba); 1984 Burnaby Minor Bantams (B.C.); 1983 Prince George Chieftains (B.C.); 1982 Yorkton Terriers (Saskatchewan); 1981 Winnipeg South Monarchs (Manitoba).