TEAM BC: PREPARING FOR THE WHL CUP

By MARIO ANNICCHIARICO

The Western Hockey League (WHL) Cup is a time to shine and Louis Oscar Holowaychuk and his BC Hockey teammates are hoping to make the best of it when B.C. (Yukon), Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba gather to compete in the prestigious tournament.

Set for October 22-26 in Red Deer, Alberta, the four teams will gather for the round-robin tournament for U16 players representing their regions.

“It's really a privilege to be one of 20 guys to be able to represent British Columbia, so that's exciting and there's honour that comes with that,” Holowaychuk said of the upcoming event. “It's the highest level of hockey.

“These are the best players in Western Canada coming to this event, so to be able to play against the best is a privilege and it's an opportunity that not many get, so we have to take advantage of it and work with it,” added the centreman who plays for St. George’s Hockey Academy of the Canadian Sports School Hockey League (CSSHL) in Vancouver. Last spring, Holowaychuk was the sixth overall selection by the Vancouver Giants in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft. The North Shore Winter Club product totaled 83 points (50g-33a) in 34 games last season for St George’s U15 Prep team.

Team BC is led by head coach James Pollock of the Shawnigan Lake School Hockey Program of the CSSHL.

“You know it’s a tough tournament and a tough format, but it's the same for all four teams, so it's just how we handle it - how quick we can come together,” Pollock said of the tournament.

“It’s an awesome group of kids. You know, I haven't got a chance to connect to them all personally yet, but over the course of the BC Cup and Provincial Camp, you get a sense for who they are. I feel pretty lucky to have the opportunity to lead the group at the WHL Cup and I’ve got an incredible staff, too.”

In a four-team tournament there really isn’t that much time to gel, so a quick start is required.

“You only get the three round-robin games and then you're right into the elimination games after that, so the goal is just to really start to gel and come together as a team and get ready. Get ready for the big games,” said Holowaychuk.

“I know a lot of these boys and I know a part of my game is leading by example,” he said. “We’ve got a little bit of size and they're all on the team for a reason, right. I’m excited about the opportunity. The (identification camps) were super competitive. Everybody there wanted to be on this team and everybody showed that and, to the 20 that were picked, they all deserved it.”

One thing is certain, however, this experience will help with the development of all the players involved.

“A hundred per cent. I mean the experience will help gauge where they are now and where they are against the best players of their peer group in Western Canada. It's an opportunity for them to showcase themselves in a short-term event and proudly represent B.C. and Yukon,” said coach Pollock.

“This is an incredibly passionate group. You know they're motivated, obviously, and they’re here to help each other be successful.

“I'm really impressed with the group of individuals. I’ve talked to their coaches from other events, like the BC Cup and Provincial Camp, and being on the bench with them and watching how the players interact with each other - you see how hard they're working on the ice and talking in the room and I'm really impressed with the group we have.”

The goal is to obviously win, but also grow from the experience.

“I think it's impossible not to,” said Pollock. “Surrounding yourself in an event like this with the players and coaching staff and watching the other provinces do their things and to play against the best players from the other provinces is, like I said, it's impossible not to grow.”