Ottawa’s Bell Capital Cup celebrating 25th anniversary

Youth hockey teams have gathered from across the world to play in the 25th annual Bell Capital Cup in Ottawa. CTV’s Camille Wilson has the story.

The Bell Capital Cup hits the ice once again Sunday, celebrating 25 years of hockey in Ottawa in the process.

The annual youth hockey tournament will have hundreds of children’s hockey teams from Canada, the U.S. and around the world come to the Nation’s Capital to compete and celebrate the game of hockey.

Players from AAA leagues to house leagues are set to take part in annual tournament, which will feature more than 280 teams.

“We provide the best minor hockey experience in any tournament. It’s a very unique tournament from the standpoint of how big it is, how many kids from all over the world get together,” says Mark Sluban, general manager of the Bell Capital Cup.

Sluban says the tournament features many off-ice experiences including the CWENCH Hydration HockeyFest, opening ceremony, trophies and giveaways after every game.

The opening ceremony is set Sunday at 6:30 p.m. during the CWENCH Hydration HockeyFest at the Bell Sensplex.

Kai Chung has only played hockey for one year and this is his first tournament and he says he’s excited to hit the ice.

“I’m looking forward to scoring more goals, getting more points and getting more assists,” Kai says.

Kai’s team won their first game 3-1, and Chung earned a few accolades for himself.

“Our first game that we won 3-1, I got MVP and I got a trophy. I was excited and happy that I won MVP out of 14 kids,” says Kai.

“It feels amazing. It’s his first year and honestly he’s impressing me a lot. Didn’t think he would be as far but he’s doing really well. I’m very proud of him,” says Nickesia Reid, Kai’s mom.

From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., there will be watch parties, an inflatable obstacle course, bouncy slides and the longstanding pin-trading tradition.

“Our coaches give you ten pins and then when you play other teams you can trade pins with them. It’s like a little souvenir,” says Will, who’s playing in the tournament.

“What I like the most about it, is trading pins with all the other teams,” says Maximus, who’s playing in the tournament.

Sluban says the Bell Capital Cup has grown every year since its inception a quarter century ago.

“We’re looking at over 5000 players and then coaches and training staff and all that,” Sluban says.

Many current and former NHL players, including Connor McDavid, John Tavares, and Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, participated in the Bell Capital Cup in their youth.

“I’m hoping for me and some of my teammates to make it to the NHL,” Kai said.

The Bell Capital Cup will be taking place at various arenas throughout the city but the Championship games will be played at the Canadian Tire Centre, the home of the Ottawa Senators. Sluban says there will also be a 25th anniversary All-Star team unveiling at the end of the tournament.

The Bell Capital Cup runs from Dec. 28 to Dec. 31.

For more information, visit bellcapitalcup.ca.

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