Postcards From Quebec: Feb. 23-24

The Colorado Avalanche Pee-Wee team played in its final game of the trip on Saturday versus the Zietara Eagles from Poland. The Eagles defeated the Jr. Avs 4-1 in the exhibition game.
Max Neumayr scored the lone Jr. Avalanche goal in the second period and Curren Stukey and Daniel Andreen assisted on the short-handed goal. The Jr. Avs fell for the third time this trip, however two of those have come against teams competing in the upper AA-Elite division.

The players were able to spend one final night with their billet families on Saturday. The evening consisted of a family dinner at Boston Pizza before the Jr. Avs heading to a local outdoor rink to play some shinny.

Players, coaches, staff and billet families played a big pick-up game under the lights. Sticks were thrown in the middle to pick teams with neighborhood kids joining in on the fun. Forward Mario Rodriguez and defenseman Andreen threw on goalie gear to play between the pipes in the friendly outdoor scrimmage. It was a perfect finale to an already incredible trip for the pee wees.

Overall, the Jr. Avs were able to compete against teams from New Brunswick and Alberta, Canada, France, Australia, Poland and Arizona. It was an opportunity that some of these players may never experience again and that is why the Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament holds reign as the most prestigious youth hockey tournament in the world.
On top of the games played, the Jr. Avs favorite part was the amount of outdoor hockey they got to play with locals and other teams that were billeting in the neighborhood. Outdoor rinks and frozen ponds are the norm in Quebec, adding a nice touch to the one-of-a-kind hockey experience for the Jr. Avalanche.

The Jr. Avs have completed play in Quebec finishing with 3 wins and 3 loses. The pee wees will look forward to the Colorado Amateur Hockey Association state championships in March as they return to Colorado as the top ranked Arvada Hockey Association Pee Wee AA team.
"The trip was exhilarating, heartbreaking and filled with a life time of memories," said head coach John McKibbon, who is also the Director of Arvada Hockey Association, "And once again it is clear, the first-class support and management the Avalanche give this tournament is truly second to none. I cannot thank the Avs enough for the experience."
The Saint Albert Saints, who knocked the Jr. Avs out of the tournament in a thrilling shootout loss last week, played in the AA championship game on Sunday. The Jr. Avs watched the finals as a team before saying goodbye to their billets and heading home.
The pee wees represented the Avalanche organization in every way. Compliments from billets, restaurant workers and other coaches were given to the players for their display of class, sportsmanship and respect. The organization is so proud of these boys and wish them the best of luck in their future hockey endeavors.
That concludes this year's Postcards from Quebec. Au revoir!