WINNIPEG, MB – Manitoba's top 1996 born players will hit the ice this weekend at the MTS Iceplex for the Program of Excellence (POE) U-16 Spring Tournament. The tournament serves as the second phase of the the selection process for next season's U-16 Team Manitoba who'll compete at the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup in Swift Current, SK. The event is also one of the last scouting opportunities for Western Hockey League teams before their draft next month as all 22 teams will have representation watching the tournament.

All 136 players passed through their various regional selection processes to advance into the U-16 POE Spring Tournament hosted by Hockey Manitoba. There will be 8 teams competing with rosters randomly drawn by Hockey Manitoba from the pool of players provided by each Hockey Manitoba Region. Teams will play three games over the weekend and will also attend a player & parent reception hosted by the Western Hockey League and Hockey Manitoba on Saturday evening.

Tournament schedule, rosters, and game stats can be found online at www.hockeymanitoba.mb.ca/poe.php.

The U-16 POE Spring Tournament is presented by the Western Hockey League. Hockey Manitoba would also like to recognize Canad Inns, CCM, and Reebok as Official Partners of the Program of Excellence.