Future Stars

The Quebec City International Pee-Wee tournament isn't just another tournament - it's the event of the year for more than 2,300 players aged 11 and 12 years old, who travel from all over the world to Quebec City to make a name for themselves. Numerous NHL stars have travelled the Pee-Wee route, including such international icons as Guy Lafleur and Wayne Gretzky.

Article by Nadia Fezzani

For two weeks, between February 13 and 23, 2003, young hockey hopefuls will put on a show in front of the watchful eyes of thousands of hockey enthusiasts. For many players, this is their very first taste of performing in front of large crowds. In fact, the crowds are so big during these tournaments, it is estimated that up to 200,000 fans will have seen some of the brightest stars of tomorrow perform by the time the tournament is over. Since 1960, the tournament has played an important role in launching the professional careers of more than 700 young hockey players who ended up in the National Hockey league.

Pee-Wee tournament graduates form the Canadiens family of today and yesterday include Mike Komisarek, Christipher Higgins, Ron Hainsey, Mike Ribeiro, Éric Chouinard, Dainius Zubrus and, of course, Guy Lafleur. The provincial capital was the place where, between 1962 and 1964, a young Flower dazzled fans with his breathtaking moves - just like he did later with the Quebec Remparts and the Canadiens. Lafleur is the only player to have won the Pee-Wee championship in his category for three consecutive years. In his first tournament appearance Lafleur scored 18 goals and 14 assists in only seven games.

The first Pee-Wee tournament player to be gobbled up by the NHL is Brad Park. The star defenseman, who enjoyed a brilliant 20-year career with the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, participated in the very first Pee-Wee tournament in 1960.

What would an outstanding tournament be like without the presence of a young Wayne Gretzky? The Great One impressed hockey observers at the Quebec Pee-Wee tournament when he was only 11 years old, rewriting the record books along the way. Then again, what would you expect from a player who potted 392 goals in one single season with the Brantford Pee-Wee team?

As it turns out, the hockey tournament is also a family affair, with fathers who performed at the tournaments having an influence on their young ones. Sons of the NHL greats with last names spelled Hunter, Stastny, Nystrom, Campbell and Roy all played at these tournaments. Fate will decide if these young players will follow in the footsteps of their great dads.

WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE
"For me, it's like an Olympics for the young ones," says Ghyslain Bérubé, who has worked as a volunteer with the tournament for the past 42 years. It is thanks to Bérubé's dedication and ingenuity that the Pee-Wee tournament has come this far. "Playing in front of three, four, five thousand people makes a big difference for a young player who's used to playing in front of 20 to 25 people on each side of the rink."

The fans, the noise, the support, the enthusiasm and the atmosphere make the tournament's 11 days unforgettable. Bruins defenceman Jonathan Girard played in several tournaments at every level, but, he says, nothing matches the Pee-Wee tournament, adding that it will always remain as one of his fondest memories.

"It's the first opportunity you get to who yourself off to the world, to play against teams outside Quebec and from other countries, as well," says Girard. "It really is exciting. It's a tournament with a great reputation. I have great memories of the tournament, that's for sure."

Joé Juneau agrees. "The tournament is a great experience as far as hockey is concerned, but also culturally."

You may want to take note of the young players who will play at the 2003 edition of the tournament. After all, they will be eligible for the 2009 NHL Draft. Expect to see NHL scouts and agents up in the stands when the puck is dropped in Quebec City.