The countdown to the Telus Cup is officially on.
A ceremony kicking off the elite national U18 hockey tournament took place at the Chilliwack Coliseum on Sunday (Dec. 15).
The Fraser Valley Thunderbirds hosted the official ceremony for the 2025 Telus Cup Championship, coming to Chilliwack April 21-27. The banner was raised in the Coliseum as part of the fan celebration that included three hockey games, an autograph session and a host of family-friendly activities.
The Thunderbirds are one of eight U18 AAA teams with the British Columbia Elite Hockey League, and were chosen earlier this year to host the championship.
The 2025 Telus Cup will see the country's best U18 AAA hockey teams from across the country compete in the tournament, fighting for the title of best in Canada. It will feature host team the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds. The country’s various leagues are grouped into regions, with the four regional winners competing alongside the host representative.
It will mark the first time the men’s tournament has taken place in British Columbia since 2017. It will also be the first time the Thunderbirds have played in the highly-coveted tournament.
The event included a visit from Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove and Squiala Chief David Jimmie, representing the Ts'elxweyeqw, Squiala, and Stó:lō First Nations.
Attendees gathered to raise the Telus Cup banner, which organizers say symbolizes "the community's support and excitement for the tournament ahead."
The event was planned to celebrate "hockey, community spirit, and the incredible young athletes who will soon take the ice."
