All of the 40 GTHL players announced to OHL Gold Cup rosters have all had a Minor Midget season to remember. Adding an OHL Gold Cup Championship would just be the icing on an already delicious cake. The vast majority of the players selected for the tournament were awarded the opportunity to play in the OHL Cup powered by Under Armour, while 34 were named to a GTHL Top Prospects roster. All 40 were selected to one of 20 OHL clubs at the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.

Despite all their accomplishments, players see the tournament as an opportunity to take the next step in their hockey careers. The OHL Gold Cup acts as an opportunity for scouts to select players for Canada’s three teams that will compete in the World U-17 Hockey Challenge – a tournament which gives many players their first taste of international competition.

“It will be a great tournament because it’s truly best on best,” said former Toronto Nationals goaltender and current Hamilton Bulldogs prospects Zachary Roy. “I am hoping to play well to advance to the U-17 camp.”

Alongside Roy on the GTHL Blue squad will be former Nationals teammate Brandon Coe. As the third overall pick in the OHL Draft, many eyes will sure to be on the emerging North Bay Battalion centre.

“I’m really looking forward to playing with all the guys from the GTHL and to hopefully win the tournament,” said Coe, who finished the regular season with over a point per game.

Heading into the tournament, both GTHL teams will be looking to extend the League’s OHL Gold Cup championship streak to three. Both the 2016 and 2015 tournaments were captured by the GTHL.

Players from the GTHL will be challenged by teams from ALLIANCE, HEO, NOHA, and the OMHA. A total of eight teams will compete at the tournament, with both the GTHL and OMHA represented by two teams. The puck is set to drop on May 3 in Kitchener. Click here for full details.