CALGARY, Alberta – The Calgary Canucks have captured the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, with a dominant 7-2 win over the Melfort Mustangs in the championship game Sunday night.
One year after losing in the semifinals to Melfort, the Canucks captured Canada’s National Junior A Championship for the second time, and the first since 1995. Calgary is the 12th host team to win the national title since the start of the tournament format in 1985.
“We went from coming to the rink and hoping to win to ‘we’re going to win.’ We’ve built a culture over the last three years and I feel like that’s gone a long way,” said captain Bowden Singleton (Calgary, AB). “It starts with our coaching staff, and I couldn’t be prouder of the boys for holding the standard all year long. You never think you’re going to lose, we just said we’re going to take it shift by shift, which is different than earlier games where we start down. I thought our start was really good, I’m proud of the boys and there’s no better feeling doing this in front of friends and family. It’s everything I dreamed of.”
The Alberta Junior Hockey League champions opened the scoring when Rhett Melynk (Edmonton, AB) tucked a loose puck past Melfort goaltender Kristian Coombs (Calgary, AB) on the power play, but Ashton Paul (The Pas, MB) replied for the Mustangs before the end of the first period.
Calgary added three goals in the second period, from Hayden Fechner (Edmonton, AB), Landon Pappas (Airdrie, AB) and Nolan DuPont (Calgary, AB). Jayden Joly (Fort Saskatchewan, AB) made it 5-1 just 78 seconds into the third period, chasing Coombs from the Melfort goal after five goals in 22 shots. Madden Mulawka (Edmonton, AB) made four saves in relief.
The Mustangs – who became just the second team to lose in the final in back-to-back years, joining the 2014-15 Carleton Place Canadians – got a second goal from Zayden Sadlemyer (Buena Vista, SK) with 14 minutes left, but they would get no closer.
Fechner finished with two goals and an assist, Joly had a goal and two helpers and Gavin Schmidt (Okotoks, AB) contributed three assists. Lukas Renaud (Naples, FL) was terrific in goal, finishing with 27 saves for the Canucks, who went three-for-four on the power play.
“The guys, to a man, bought in. Everyone gave us what they needed, whether that was in practice, minimal ice time or whatever it was, and they all play for each other and that’s the main reason we’re here – we don’t have individuals,” said Calgary head coach Brad Moran. “For the organization to get back after being close last year, we weren’t satisfied and the guys that were there helped push us over the top. It’s a pretty special moment, especially the guys that have been through it.”
Full game stats are available HERE.
Game highlights can be downloaded HERE.
Before the championship game, the tournament award winners were announced:
- Most Valuable Player: Anthony Hall (Sherbrooke, QC) – Rockland Nationals
- Top Forward: Anthony Hall (Sherbrooke, QC) – Rockland Nationals
- Top Defenceman: Nathan Maloney (Strathmore, AB) – Calgary Canucks
- Top Goaltender: Ashton Sadauskas (Parksville, BC) – Kam River Fighting Walleye
- Most Sportsmanlike Player: Lincoln Moore (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) – Greater Sudbury Cubs
For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
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For further information, please contact:
Esther Madziya
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada
403.519.5754
emadziya@hockeycanada.ca