Al Coates talks up Quispamsis as host of 2016 Telus Cup

Al Coates made a return to the Saint John area Monday to talk up the Telus Cup national midget hockey championship that will be held in Quispamsis next April.

Coates has a hockey tie to the Saint John area in that he was the general manager of the Calgary Flames for a time when Saint John was home to the Flames American Hockey League affiliate.

Coates is now Hockey Canada's senior adviser of special projects and was on hand Monday to make the reannouncement about Quispamsis hosting the event — something that was first announced on June 3, 2014.

​"With the vibrance of the local host committee here in Quispamsis, I think this is going to be one of the great spectacles ever," said Coates.

The tournament will be played at the qplex from April 18 to 24.

The Saint John Vito's will be the host team for the six-team event. Regional teams representing the Atlantic region, Quebec, Central Canada, the West and Pacific region will also complete.

Information on ticket packages will be announced in the fall.

The national midget championship was last played in New Brunswick in 2002 when it was held in Bathurst. Moncton hosted the championship in 1986.