32 U18 hockey teams from across North America compete in Calgary’s Circle K Classic

The Circle K Classic is underway as some of the top talent in North America and beyond show their skills. Tyler Barrow has more.

Ben Oliverio went from attending the Circle K Hockey Classic to playing in it.

Oliverio, a forward on the Calgary North Stars, was in the lineup Sunday morning at 7 Chiefs Sportsplex on Tsuut’ina Nation, where his team took on Lake Forest Academy.

The club was coming off a tough 3-2 shootout loss Saturday to the South Alberta Hockey Academy but Sunday morning, Oliverio remained upbeat.

“I’ve been coming with my dad to watch this tournament since I was six years old and he’s obviously played in it before, so it’s really cool having that experience watching it and to finally be able to play in it is just really cool and exciting,” Oliverio said.

Thirty-two U18 hockey teams from across North America are competing in the 47th annual Circle K Classic.

Among those are four Calgary-based teams, including the North Stars, Royals, NW Flames and Buffaloes, as well as the Springbank-based Edge School and Okotoks Bow Mark Oilers.

There are teams competing from Illinois, South Dakota, Missouri, Maryland (Baltimore), Chicago, Phoenix, St. Louis, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, B.C., Quebec and across Alberta.

Team Maryland travelled the furthest distance to compete in the Tournament and it’s players are taking it all in.

“Having a snowy Christmas, I don’t get to have that at home really, so being here in the cold it’s special,” said Team Maryland forward, Quentin O’Connor.

“Come to Canada, homeland of hockey. I mean the crowds are packed, like always, it’s just really fun to be here,” forward Noah Lawsn added.

The team’s coach Peter Leboutillier is also making the most of the tournament. He played in the NHL but was born in Manitoba and played junior hockey in Red Deer. For the coach, who never played in the tournament he is happy is player are getting an experience he never did.

“At the end of the day hockey is about experiences and I think this tournament is about experiences. it’s a great chance for them to be a part of the hockey community.”

Team Maryland opened the tournament with a loss to Northern Alberta

North Stars defenceman Thor Liffiton said he was pumped to play in it.

“It’s really exciting,” Liffiton said. “It’s the biggest U18 tournament in the world. It’s a big opportunity for me and the group here and we couldn’t be more excited.”

North Stars head coach Marcus Cheng said it was a thrill to be coaching a team in the Circle K Classic.

“It’s awesome,” Cheng said. “(It’s) my third year doing this. (It’s a) great tournament, it’s well-run, there’s no bad teams.

“It’s exciting to have the stands full and fans cheering you on.”

Cheng said the tournament is a chance for his players to test their mettle against a high level of competition, including numerous sports schools.

“For some of them, it’s a once in a lifetime experience to have the stands full. For others, they might move on to bigger and better things, it’s a good testing ground and proving ground for them – it’s super exciting, you see them come in (to the dressing room) and they’re more excited than normal with the kids.

“It’s great.”

The tournament runs through Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.

For more about the Circle K Classic, go here.

With files from CTV’s Tyler Barrow