A ceremony kicking off an elite national U18 hockey tournament is happening in Chilliwack on Sunday.

The Fraser Valley Thunderbirds will host the official ceremony for the 2025 Telus Cup Championship on Dec. 15 at the Chilliwack Coliseum. The tournament itself takes place in the spring of 2025.

The team is one of eight U18 AAA teams with the British Columbia Elite Hockey League and was chosen earlier this year to host the National U18 Club Championship, also known as the Telus Cup, in Chilliwack.

Sunday's event will kick off the Telus Cup. It starts at noon and will include three hockey games, remarks from Mayor Ken Popove and Squiala First Nation Chief David Jimmie, family-friendly activities, and more.

The Thunderbirds’ U18 team will take to the ice first for a matchup against the Cariboo Cougars, offering people a sneak peek at the Telus Cup host team. The roster boasts exceptional talent, including WHL second-round pick Koltin Herfst, Vancouver Giants prospect Riley Charlton, and league-leading scorer Parker McDougal, among other highly regarded prospects.

Fans can meet the team after the game for a 30-minute autograph session. After the U18 game, the U17 AAA team will take the ice at 3 p.m. against the Vancouver Island Royals, followed by the U15 team at 5:45 p.m. playing against the Vancouver North East Chiefs. All teams will be available for autographs.

The day will also include a community holiday celebration, featuring family-friendly activities such as face painting, relay races, door prizes, and a 'best sign' contest.

Doors open at 11:45 a.m. Admission is free, although the Thunderbirds welcome donations of non-perishable items to support the local food bank.

The 2025 Telus Cup will see the country's best U18 AAA hockey teams from across the country compete in the tournament, fighting for the title of best in Canada. It goes from Sunday, April 21 to Sunday, April 27, 2025 in Chilliwack, featuring host team the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds. The country’s various leagues are grouped into regions, with the four regional winners competing alongside the host representative.