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June 8th 2007 -
The
USHL will get a taste of international competition when they
participate in the CCM Junior Classic in Quebec, Canada this fall. The
Indiana Ice will join the Omaha Lancers up north in a four-team
tournament that also includes the Quebec Remparts and the Rimouski
Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
“CCM Hockey is very excited to be involved with this breakthrough
event,” John Bissert of CCM said. “The CCM Junior Classic is a long
time coming and proves that top level Junior hockey is still alive and
well in both the US and Canada. We hope this is just the beginning of
more competitive tournaments between the USHL and the CHL.”
The tournament that is to be held on September 7th and 8th of this
fall, will be the first ever meeting between teams from the United
States Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The
tournament will serve as a pre-season warm-up for all four teams before
their seasons start in October.
The Quebec Ramparts are coached and jointly owned by former NHL
goaltender Hall of Famer Patrick Roy. "This two-game series will be a
new challenge for our team, as it will be the first time that we will
play against the USHL teams. We are looking forward to host them in
Québec City and we hope that our fans will also appreciate this new
experience."
Current Omaha Lancers President/Owner Luc Robitaille is a former CHL
Player of the Year and member of the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL.
“The USHL is very excited about the upcoming CCM Junior Classic in
Quebec this fall,” USHL President Gino Gasparini said. “As America’s
only Tier One Jr. League, we take great pride in developing players at
the next level for college and the NHL. The QMJHL is an outstanding
league and we hope that this friendship tourney will open the door for
future opportunities that will showcase our leagues in both the US and
Canada.” |