The future is bright for the Elgin Middlesex Canucks after an impressive run at a national competition recently.
The under-18 team that finished fourth at the 2025 Telus Cup in British Colombia featured five players from Chatham-Kent: Chatham's Parker Graham, Wallaceburg's Nash Jacobs, Blenheim's Morgan Paine, Merlin's Chase Pettipiece, and Rondeau's Landen Hill.
Two of those five were recently chosen in the OHL's Under-18 Priority Selection -- Chase Pettipiece was chosen 8th overall by the Flint Firebirds and Parker Graham went 40th overall to the London Knights.
Nash Jacobs was also previously drafted by the Saginaw Spirit in 2024 (8th round, 161st overall).
Even though the team was a bit disappointed to come away from the Telus Cup with out a medal, Canucks coach Brian Dobbin said it was still a great accomplishment.
"You go there and you don't know what to expect and the best teams in Canada are there," said Dobbin. "It took a bit of an adjustment with the time change... and it was the first time for some of the kids to be on a plane."
Elgin's first game started strong as they played the Moncton Flyers in the opener, Moncton started strong by taking a 2-0 lead in the first period but after that, it was all Elgin as they would take Game 1 of the Telus Cup as a 3-2 win.
Elgin's second game was against a tough Chevaliers de Levis team, with the teams exchanging goals early on before the Chevaliers blew the game open late for a 5-2 win.
Elgin's third game ended with a 6-2 loss to the Regina Pats team, but they bounced back in their fourth game against the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds -- Elgin won that game 3-1.
Elgin's fifth round robin game was against the Okanagan Rockets -- a shootout win with Kingston Powell scoring the game-winner, making the Canucks' record 3-2 at the end of the preliminary round.
The Canucks qualified as the 3rd seed in the semis but they had to face Regina again -- and the game didn't go so well for the Canucks.
They got shutout 5-0 as WHL prospect Ethan Young scored a goal and 2 assists to lead Regina to the Telus Cup Final.
The Canucks' last chance to get a medal was against the Moncton Flyers for bronze. Moncton scored four straight to make a 4-0 lead and Parker Graham scored the only goal for the Canucks in a 4-1 loss.
Despite the disappointing finish, Canucks head coach Brian Dobbin said he was still very proud of how the team performed.
"[The team] came together and did a special thing," said Dobbin. "Elgin Middlesex is on the map now for getting to the National Championship."