The Brick

 

 

In 2011 The Junior Bruins were awarded one of only 14 charters to bring a team to the most prestigious summer tournament in the world and one of the top three amateur hockey events in the world (along with the World Junior Championships and the Quebec Pee Wee tournament).

 

BRICK SUPER NOVICE INVITATIONAL

 

Every year the Brick tournament takes place in July at the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, AB and has the top ten year old AAA summer teams participating. The field of teams in 2011 are: Junior Bruins, Pro Hockey Toronto, Winnipeg Junior Jets, Detroit Red Wings, CT. Yankees, Chicago Jr. Blackhawks, Minnesota Blades, Atlantic Canada Junior Selects, Vancouver Junior Canucks, Regina Junior Pats, Team Brick Alberta, California ’01′s, Montreal Ice Storm and the Toronto Bulldogs.

 

This is not your typical spring/summer tournament that has you playing 4-6 games on a weekend. The Brick is a week long event and you play six round robin games (Mon-Sat) and then a semi final (Saturday afternoon) and finals (Sunday) for those that advance. There is also a skills competition on Sunday morning as well as the closing ceremonies that has all players involved in the tournament on ice following the finals for a “jersey swap”.

The list of alumni that have played at the Brick is a who’s who of college and pro stars. This is a unique tournament in that each team is given a geogrpahical terretory from which to draw players and players from that area are only allowed to play for that team. The Junior Bruins proteced area is Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In addition to taking players from those states, the B’s are also allowed one “import” player. An import is a player who does not currently live in one of the established protected area’s.

 

The Bruins process for putting the team together starts in the late fall as they scour the AAA leagues (predominantly the EHF as well as some teams in the Select League) to identify players to invite to tryouts. The tryouts are open to all players interested in playing on the Junior Bruins “Brick” team and are held in December/January. There are several tryout sessions as well as the B’s staff then going out to watch players in games.

 

Once the roster is set the team participates in several tournaments to prepare for the Brick in July. In addition to those tournaments the teams practices approximately 8-10 times to prepare. The players are given 2-3 sets of game jerseys and socks in addition to a “team gear” package that includes a track suit, dri fit top and shorts, hats, hockey bags, travel bag and more. The team also uses one of the organizations dedicated locker rooms at NESC so the players can leave their equipment during the season.

 

As you can see from the following movie (and highlight video) that chronicled the 2011 Junior Bruins Brick tournament, it is more than just the best youth hockey tournament in the world:

 

2011 Junior Bruins Brick Team Highlight Video (2001′s)

 

2011 Junior Bruins Brick Team Movie

 

WHAT ALBERTA HAS TO OFFER-Watch this 3 minute promotional clip to see that Alberta and playing on our Brick team has more to offer than just the best youth hockey tournament in the world and taking a few extra days post tournament to explore will be worth your while.

 

In 2012 the Junior Bruins will be sending their 2002 team to Edmonton. Interested players send in a Junior Bruins Application to reserve a spot at tryouts as well as email Chris Masters and include the following info:

 

  1. Position(s)
  2. Height/Weight
  3. Left shot or Right shot
  4. Current team playing
  5. Past summer teams played for
  6. Coaches we can contact via email as a reference