As the puck drops on the WHL Cup tournament in Red Deer tonight, there are five members of the Swift Current Home Hardware Legionnaires lining up for Team Saskatchewan.
That's more representatives than any other Saskatchewan U18 AAA team at the showcase for elite 15-year-olds in the western Canadian provinces.
"It's huge for us," said Legionnaires Head Coach Todd Hornung. "We've had a few guys over the last couple years, but to be able to have the home-grown guys that have made that level, and we've recruited another one from outside Swift Current to come. It just shows our program has been growing the last couple years."
The Legionnaires representatives on Team Saskatchewan are Cade Mitchell of Gull Lake, Jake Hargrave of Lucky Lake, Carter Moen of Swift Current, Trae Peterson of Sturgis and Hunter Wilm of Central Butte.
"We're becoming a destination that kids want to come to," Hornung said. "It's exciting for us, and I guess the more success they have will be all the better for us. We wish them the best of luck."
Team Saskatchewan also named Moen, a prospect of the Swift Current Broncos, an alternate captain for the tournament.
🟢 We're proud to introduce the leadership group of #TeamSask Male Under-16 for the 2024 WHL Cup!
— Hockey Saskatchewan (@hockeysask) October 21, 2024
©️ Boston Tait (Estevan)
🅰️ Blake Chorney (Martensville)
🅰️ Kayden Stroeder (Lanigan)
🅰️ Carter Moen (Swift Current)
Best of luck to the boys in GREEN as they set out on their… pic.twitter.com/xXTDHpyJdg
Mitchell is property of the Moose Jaw Warriors, Hargrave was drafted by Kelowna, Peterson is in the Tri-City Americans' system and Wilm is a Regina Pats draft pick.
Calum Brownlee of Winnipeg is the other Broncos prospect suiting up in the WHL Cup.
Saskatchewan opens the tournament tonight at 7pm against Alberta. It runs through Sunday.
The Legionnaires took the week off from league to accommodate the WHL Cup. They're sitting at 6-1 so far this season.