Pusar (#22 pictured on far left) works to get a shot off at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec.

Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Vanessa Pusar

Whisper Canyon resident, Josh Pusar, and King’s Crossing resident, Aidan Kirby, were among 17 boys on the Denver University (DU) Junior Pioneer hockey team who headed way north and way east to attend the 52nd annual Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament for eleven days last month. With hockey on the national currency, hockey on television 24 hours a day, and full hockey coverage of the Pee-Wee Tournament in the newspapers every day, Canada is the ultimate destination for any hockey player.

Touted on its website as “the most important minor hockey tournament in the world” the tournament features about 2,300 young hockey players born in 1998 or 1999 from 16 different countries with nearly 200,000 screaming fans looking on. The tournament took place at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec, which was home to the Quebec Nordiques before they moved to Denver and became the Colorado Avalanche.

The sought after title of “World Champions of Pee-Wee Hockey” is the goal for these teams. Founded in 1960, this extraordinary event has continued to grow in importance. Numerous stars from the National Hockey League (NHL) have participated in this tournament including Marcel Dionne, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Eric Lindros, to name a few.

Pusar, a 12 year-old sixth grader at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) and Kirby, a 13 year-old seventh grader at RHMS, kept the hockey tradition of staying with Canadian host families in pairs, also known as billeting. Hockey fans may know that even Matt Duschene of the Avalanche billets with senior teammate and captain, Adam Foote.

Kirby’s mom, Jessica, recalls, “It is kind of strange leaving your kid in Canada to finish out a hockey tournament! But, between his coaches, the Director of DU Youth Hockey, and his wonderful billet family, we know he is safe and in good hands. So, it comes down to being proud parents [knowing] that he’s mature enough to handle, on his own, this amazing life lesson and experience.”

The Pioneers were entered in the class B bracket and performed very well. They remained undefeated in exhibition and regulation games against Austria, Montreal, Connecticut, San Jose, Quebec City, and Germany. The boys unfortunately lost a hard fought game against the Anaheim Ducks on February 18 with a score of 0 to 4.

Pusar’s mom, Vanessa, commented, “It was so cold! We didn’t go anywhere without thermals and lots of layers. We watched pond hockey against Quebec City in ski clothes with three layers on top, thermals, ski pants, hoods, scarves, and gloves, and we were still cold!”

The tournament is intended to teach the kids what playing junior professional hockey is all about – from flying together as a team, to riding in a chartered bus from Boston to Quebec together as a team, billeting, being responsible without your parents’ help, and focusing and performing in front of large crowds. The boys proved they were certainly up for the challenge!

For more information about DU Junior Pioneer Hockey, visithttp://recreation.du.edu/jph/.