It took five tries, but Great Plains captured its first North American Hockey Showcase championship on June 29 at the Bloomington Ice Garden. Great Plains topped Team Manitoba 2-1 in the final. The win marks the second consecutive win for the United States in the five years of the tournament, with teams from Ontario winning the first three Show crowns.
The fifth year of the tournament featured more than just the second triumph by an American team in the final. It had close games, great sweaters, international players, and arena construction. While the Bloomington Ice Garden's makeover may not have made the trek to the ice convenient, the shepherds of each team's journey became celebrities unto themselves.
Highest among these team concierges reigns a woman who has turned the under-appreciated duty of locker room patrol into fine art. She's a personality who combines a can-do attitude with a wisdom that only manifests after spending years in the bowels of suburban hockey rinks. Linda Bellis became a favorite of both parents and players during The Show, and every player now knows that "you betcha" is the rallying cry for all things Minnesotan.
Sentimentality included, YHH is proud to present The Show 2019 All-Tournament Teams, with selections based on coach recommendations and observations by YHH staff members and game officials.
East Coast's Luca Cannata was named to The Show 2019's All-Tournament Second Team.
Player | Team | Position |
---|---|---|
Morgan Blackwood | International | Goaltender |
Carson Carels | Manitoba | Defense |
A.J. Francisco | Great Plains | Defense |
Kash Alger-East | Manitoba | Forward |
Mikey Berchild | Great Plains | Forward |
Dylan Dean (MVP) | Great Plains | Forward |
Kash Alger-East (left) of Team Manitoba earned The Show 2019 All-Tournament First Team honors.
Player | Team | Position |
---|---|---|
Cash Cruitt | Great Plains | Goaltender |
Edwin Lundqvist | International | Defense |
Joshua Shaganya | Team Manitoba | Defense |
Luca Cannata | East Coast | Forward |
Jack Wheaton | Team USA | Forward |
Spencer Thornborough | New England | Forward |
Spencer Thornborough, Team New England.