WINNIPEG – Hockey Manitoba is pleased to announce Jordan Thomson (Wawanesa) as captain of U-16 Team Manitoba. Thomson currently plays with the Southwest Cougars (Midget AAA) and was drafted third overall in the WHL’s 2011 Bantam Draft by the Kamloops Blazers. The assistant captains selected are Adam Brooks (Winnipeg) and Ryley Lindgren (East St. Paul), both players currently play with the Winnipeg Thrashers (Midget AAA).

Team Manitoba will unite for the first time tonight for an exhibition game in Souris against the Southwest Cougars (Midget AAA), game time 7:30 PM. The team will practice Wednesday morning in Brandon before continuing the trip onto Moose Jaw, SK for the 2011 Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup. Team Manitoba will open up tournament action in a 2009 finals rematch versus Team Alberta on Thursday afternoon.

All games at the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup will be webcast through the WHL website. Visit www.hockeymanitoba.ca during the event for the Team Manitoba Headquarters featuring game webcast link, player profiles, game summaries, team news and more. Hockey Manitoba is pleased to recognize Canad Inns and Reebok-CCM Hockey as Official Partners of the Program of Excellence.