Our 1996 Cougars Selects team wins the 2010 Worlds Selects Invitational!

The 17 best athletes represented our 1996 Cougars Selects Team competed in the World's strongest tournament in Prague Czech Republic from July 21-25, 2010 with coach Rick Watkin and former NHL coach Tony Martino. The Worlds Selects Invitational tournament was represented by the highest ranked teams in the world with 5 North American teams and 7 European teams (Russia, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Czech). Additionally, 4 of our Cougars Selects players were selected to represent North America in an all-star game against Europe.

The tournament brought out the most talented players and coaches around the globe to complete in Prague CZ. Our Cougars Selects players beat out East Coast Selects (Quebec) 5-4 in an OT goal in the quarter finals. In the semi finals, our Cougars Selects won 3-2 in yet another OT win against the strong and powerful Czech Selects, thus moving our Cougars Selects to the Finals against West Coast Selects. Our Cougars Selects, were leading 1-0, going into the last 20 minutes of play, then West Coast Selects tied it up with a PP goal, making in 1-1. Cougars Selects persevered to take the lead (2-1) with 5 minutes remaining in the game. West Coast pulled their goalie, and our Cougars Selects battled 6 on 5 for a minute and a half, then buried an open net goal to make it a 3-1 victory!

From coach Watkin, "I'm so proud of our coaching staff, and all my players as they persevered through all the adversity. We played 9 games over 5 days and winning the tournament is a testament to the players passion toward hockey and commitment to teamwork and our team philosophies. Great work Cougars!!!"