A NEW CHAMPION WILL BE CROWNED

One thing we are certain of this year...for the second year in a row a new champion will be crowned. Coach Gaynor pulled a one and done after capturing the 2018 Championship in a less than dramatic thrashing of Team Finland! This season we have 5 new coaches entering the tournament field for the first time. Team Russia hosts Tom Glomski, Team Sweden has Chris Fredrcikson, Team Canada has "The Missing Link" Matty Taylor, and Team USA has Connor Martin. The sole returning coach is our fan favorite First Loser Rex  Whealon. He has been a brides maid for an unprecedented 4 times.  

2018 ELITE TRAINING TOURNAMENT RECAP

It was wire to wire first place for Team Russia. Coach Gaynor and his squad faced little adversity as they ran out of the gates and never looked back. Team Russia had a balanced attacked that started with a its belief in running a defense first system. After they dominated their zone the offense took over and they waltz there way into a 3-0 championship win. 

Team Russia: Hard to imagine this team having a shot at repeating after the devastating departure of their bench boss Zach Gaynor. Russia has brought in an experienced youth coach in Tom Glomski but lacks the experience at the big boy level. Time will tell if Coach Glomski has the chops to lead Russia. 

Team USA: After missing the podium last season, Team USA is looking to repeat and go for gold. Team USA tapped "everyman" coach Connor Martin to take the helm. Coach Martin is a fine coach but pundits around the hockey community are questioning his understanding of the game after his embarrassing loss against Team Russia two years ago snapping their 18 game losing streak. 

Team Sweden: Definitely the dark horse of the tournament. Sweden is laying it all down on the line this tournament and is even more evident in their hiring of Coach Chris Fredrickson. Winning is all Fredrickson knows how to do. From his early years on the bench thrashing the dreams of 5 year olds in Mite Blue to claiming the top spot in his ACHA's conference. Guys is a winner and sure to turn some heads. 

Team Finland: Coach Whealon will find a way to do one of two things...overachieve and sneak into the finals but lose to a much higher skilled team OR blow it in the finals to a team they should easily beat. Anyway you look at it, he will finish in second. 

Team Canada: What's not to love about Team Canada? They have it all including fan favorite Coach Matty Taylor. Coach Taylor is the real deal in the coaching pantheon and is looking to make his mark in his first tournament. Expecting big things from Canada and Coach Taylor! 

Favorite: Team Canada

2nd Place: Team Finland

Darkhorse: Team Sweden

In the hunt: Team Russia & Team USA

Tier I: Dylan Sprister: Team USA

Tier II: Ron Walker: Team Finland

Tier III: Jim Norris, the player formerly known as Teigue Wagner: Team USA

Coach of the Tournament: Matty Taylor: Team Canada