19 Youngsters to Represent the Carolinas at Annual Pee-Wee Tournament

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes will be represented for the second time at the International Pee Wee Tournament of Quebec from Feb. 13-23, as 19 players from North and South Carolina travel to Quebec City to attend the prestigious tournament. This year’s squad will be introduced during the first intermission of the Carolina Hurricanes game against Toronto at the RBC Center on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

The Junior Hurricanes will play their first game on Friday, Feb. 14 at 8:30 p.m. against Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island at the Pepsi Coliseum, former home of the Quebec Nordiques. The team is comprised entirely of players from the Carolinas born between October 1989 and September 1991. They will compete in at least six games during the 10-day tournament against teams from 18 countries. The Junior Hurricanes are coached by Mike Tefft, a local youth coach with the East Coast Eagles, and Sam Licata of USA Hockey.

Players were selected based on their performances at a tryout involving more than 70 players. They will stay with Quebec City families throughout the duration of the tournament, now in its 44th year. Tournament alumni include NHL stars past and present such as Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Guy Lafleur, Eric Lindros, Marcel Dionne and Patrick Roy. Many members of the Carolina Hurricanes NHL squad participated in the Quebec Tournament as pee wees, including captain Ron Francis and All-Star right wing Jeff O’Neill.

The International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament of Quebec takes place over a period of 10 days and attracts crowds of about 200,000 spectators each year. Founded in 1960, it draws 2,300 young hockey players from 18 countries to Quebec City.

For more information, please contact Hurricanes Manager of Promotions and Fan Development Brian Mehm at 919.861.5434, visit the tournament’s website at http://www.tournoipee-wee.qc.ca/Bienvenue.html.