The Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament has been a hallmark of the hockey world for generations. With summer upon us, many think of getting away and spending time on a beach elsewhere, but for a special week, one of hockey's most storied youth tournaments is back in full swing.
Since 1990, some of the best nine and 10-year-old players in the world have descended upon West Edmonton Mall to participate in an event that pro players speak fondly of playing in. Part of “spring” hockey, teams come from six different Canadian provinces and seven American states, including one team made up of kids from all across the western part of the United States.
West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace, a key venue for the Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament.
A Tournament Born from Vision
The company was founded as The Brick Warehouse LP by brothers, John, Fred, and Bill Comrie. The first warehouse opened on September 1, 1971 in Edmonton, Alberta. Its first expansion was to Fort McMurray, Alberta in the 1970s and later acquired a competitor in the city of Calgary. The Brick has expanded across Canada and operates 220 retail stores (including 20 franchise locations) in every province and territory except for Nunavut, while Quebec stores are branded simply as Brick.
Comrie’s son Mike, who would go on to play 11 seasons in the NHL, was just a talented, 10-year-old kid in 1990 without a meaningful tournament at his age division. “We wanted to do something that was unique. “The first three or four years was absolutely one of the most fun things I’ve ever done.
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Young hockey players participating in the Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament.
NHL Stars Emerge From The Brick
It's impossible to judge how many players who play in The Brick tournament every year will go onto careers in the NHL or will embark on a career in other professional leagues. But since 1990, many of the biggest names in the sport have played in at least one Brick Tournament. Players, such as P.K. Subban, Steven Stamkos, Jordan Eberle, Cole Caufield, Auston Matthews, and Brent Seabrook, are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the tournament's NHL alumni.
The tournament also has a YouTube channel dedicated to showing classic clips showcasing the plays of the various NHLers and international women's players who first turned heads in front of parents, teammates and more than likely a few shoppers who couldn't believe what they just saw.
- Want to see Dustin Byfuglien go through four defenders on his way to a goal in 1995? Its there.
- How about future Canadian Olympian goaltender Shannon Szabados making some massive saves in the 1996 event?
- Want to watch Tyler Seguin, with the sun shining down upon him, light the lamp in 2002?
International Impact and Recent Events
When the Brick Tournament was first launched in 1990, it was a one-of-a-kind summer event that has welcomed players from all over North America and the rest of the world. American teams have participated in the event since the original tournament, in which Team Los Angeles won it all. In total, American-based teams have won the Brick Tournament seven times. Before the Junior Red Wings became the seventh American victor, the Conneticuit Jr.
Sunday afternoon marked the end of the 2024 tournament as the Toronto Bulldogs and the Detroit Junior Red Wings squared off in the championship game. The Junior Red Wings squeezed out a 4-3 win thanks to a goal by Christian Kolarik with three minutes remaining in the third period.
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For many players, there's still a ton more development to be had, and the biggest aspect of this tournament is to ensure that kids at this age are enjoying the sport.
This year the Brick Invitational is scheduled for Aug. Should an organization fail to meet these standards, they will be replaced.
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