The spotlight was on Quebec’s next generation of hockey stars as hundreds of young players took to the ice at Place Bell in Laval on Sunday for the grand finale of the inaugural Best Buy Express Cup—a tournament where skill, teamwork, and fun are the real power plays.
Organizers say the event provides a provincial stage for recreational teams, offering players the thrill of competition while keeping the focus on enjoyment and fair play.
Ten teams competing in the finale earned their spots through qualifying tournaments earlier this year in Valcartier and Val-Bélair. Players in the M15 and M18 recreational divisions faced off in a fast-paced 4-on-4 format designed to keep the game intense while emphasizing participation.
For many, stepping onto a professional rink was unforgettable. “It was very nice because I watched the game as a kid and my dream was to play there,” said one young athlete.
“I started playing hockey I think six years ago and yeah, I like to play this sport and I think I will continue three years more,” another added,
Some players are already looking ahead to bigger ambitions.
“I started playing at 5 years old and I want to play in a better calibre in the future,” one athlete said, highlighting the combination of passion and dedication that the tournament celebrates.
Thierry Lopez, spokesperson for Best Buy, explained the vision behind the event: “What we wanted to do is to have an event for kids and teenagers 14-17, something non-competitive, something that can be for boys and girls, where they can play. Hockey Quebec knew well this category of age and they were missing this kind of tournament.”
The 4-on-4 format allowed the young athletes to experience the thrill of playing on an ice surface capable of hosting thousands of fans, while focusing on skill development and fun rather than pressure.
Sunday’s event was about more than the scoreboard. The Best Buy Express Cup emphasized teamwork, confidence, and healthy competition, reinforced by the presence of former NHL enforcer turned mentor Georges Laraque.
“A lot of them are playing hockey and they’re asking for tons of advice and it’s fun,” Laraque said. “It’s an environment that I know inside a rink, and any time there’s events where I can skate with kids I love coming to these events. It’s awesome.”
One young player described Laraque’s guidance: “He talked about us enjoying the sport and having some fun when we play together and continue to play this sport.”
Laraque also cautioned against pressure from parents: “I know that there’s so many parents that put so much pressure on kids thinking that they are the next Connor McDavid growing up. So, play hockey for fun and enjoy it.”
Lopez said the company carefully selected Laraque to reflect the values of the tournament. “Georges is a friend of the company, we know his values and we felt that he was the right fit for this kind of event, something that has the positive values of sports,” he said.
Playing in front of cheering fans, the young athletes relished the experience.
“My favourite part is when we got on the ice, we were doing our warm-ups, everyone was watching us, so I really liked this part,” one player said.
“This tournament was very fun, it was to play with all the team together and to win this tournament was incredible,” another added.
Lopez highlighted the grassroots focus of the tournament: “We really wanted to do something that is a grassroots event, something that really benefits the teenagers. So we just planned it and launched it. Today is the final of the first season, and we are really happy and want to continue the event for many, many, many more years.”
With more than 1,600 young players participating in qualifying and final rounds across the province, organizers say the event has already begun to establish itself as one of Quebec’s largest recreational hockey tournaments.
As the inaugural Best Buy Express Cup drew to a close, the message was clear: it’s about more than winning. It’s about nurturing a love of the game, fostering teamwork, and inspiring Quebec’s young athletes to chase their dreams—on and off the ice.
