Local Youth Invited to Play Prestigious Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament
In July 2016, 10-year-old Corey Tannahill will be heading to Edmonton, Alberta to represent Quebec at the Brick Invitational Tournament as a part of Montreal’s Ice Storm hockey team. Founded by Mr. Bill Comrie—father of NHL player Mike Comrie, the Brick Invitational Tournament is the most prestigious Minor Atome tournament in North America.
Making the team wasn’t an easy feat—Corey had to attend four rigorous days of tryouts. The process began back in October, ending only at the end of February. One of 17 children selected, Corey was officially notified of his acceptance to the team on March 7th of 2016. “The try-outs were very intense. Players were put through the paces...they played with dozens of different kids they had never met, received instruction from new coaches and played different positions to demonstrate their strengths. It was highly competitive and physically strenuous…Corey showed tremendous endurance, tenacity and perseverance throughout the entire process. We were so proud of him and how well he coped with the pressure,” said his mother, Shawna Ferns. Held every summer at the West Edmonton Mall, the calibre of hockey played throughout this tournament is unparalleled for this age group.
Lacing up his first skates at the age of two, Corey began playing minor hockey at the young age of four. The youth comes from a hockey family—his father, Bill Tannahill, still plays, while one of his two sisters plays minor hockey in Huntingdon and AAA hockey for the Sherifs. Calling Godmanchester home, Corey currently plays on two hockey teams—the Sherifs/Ice Rebels AAA during the spring/summer season and also the Montreal Ice Storm AAA team. During the 2015-2016 season, Corey played on Atome BB for Beauval. Corey is particularly excited about the tournament.
"Hockey is a sport I love playing! I feel excited every time I step out on the ice. I am honoured to be a part of the Montreal Ice Storm Brick team and I am looking forward to this amazing experience! Thank you to everyone who is supporting me on this adventure,” he said.
Corey has been practicing with his new team in Brossard every second Sunday. On his downtime, he reviews media sent by his coaches to study in preparation for these practices. And the team’s hard work has paid off—this past weekend the Brick Invitational Tournament team played in their first AAA tournament at the Bell Sports Complex. They came out the victors in a match against an older division, setting the tone for the upcoming season.