Five Chatham-Kent hockey players have the chance to win the top under-18 championship in Canada.
The Elgin-Middlesex Canucks are one of six teams competing in B.C. for the 2025 Telus Cup. The team includes Chatham's Parker Graham, Wallaceburg's Nash Jacobs, Blenheim's Morgan Paine, Merlin's Chase Pettipiece, and Rondeau's Landon Hill.
They earned their spot in the tournament after winning the Central Region U18AAA Championships earlier this month.
"It was a surprise. It means all the hard work pays off," said Brian Dobbin, the Canucks head coach.
This is just the fourth time since 1974 that an Alliance hockey team has made the Telus Cup. None of the previous teams were able to lift the cup with Dobbin hoping his will be the first.
"For us to see the results at the end would be great," he said.
The championship will take place in Fraser Valley from April 21 to 27.
The Canucks first game will be on Apr. 21 at 11 a.m. (PDT) against the Moncton Flyers.
Their second game against the Chevaliers de Lévis will happen on Apr. 22 at 11 a.m. (PDT).
They'll be back on the ice on Apr. 23 at 11 a.m. (PDT) against the Regina Pat Canadians.
The fourth game is the first time the Canucks won't play in the morning as they take the ice on Apr. 24 at 7 p.m. (PDT) versus the host Fraser Valley Thunderbirds.
The Canucks last group stage game will happen on Apr. 25 at 3 p.m. (PST) against the Okanagan Rockets.
Meanwhile, the Canucks are asking the public for help financially.
The cost to get to B.C. is in the tens of thousands, with the players' families currently covering most of the expenses.
The hope is they can collect the funds needed for the trip and reimburse the families.
A GoFundMe page has been set up, with people also able to contact the team.