Nathaniel Fuller has always wanted to play in the Red Cup Showcase tournament.

The Sydney River native played with the Cape Breton Unionized Tradesmen of the Nova Scotia Eastlink Major Midget Hockey League last season and was well aware his chance to play in the tournament was getting shorter as every season ended.

This year, Fuller decided he wanted to play high school hockey and get the opportunity to win the tournament title for Riverview High School before he graduated.

The Grade 12 student is in the Redmen lineup this week as the Coxheath-based school hosts the 42nd annual Red Cup Showcase at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre.

“Red Cup was a big part of my decision to play high school hockey, but also because I wanted to play with my friends,” said the 17-year-old.

“A lot of us grew up playing minor hockey together when we were younger, so this was our last chance to play together again.”

BIO

NATHANIEL FULLER

• Hometown: Sydney River, N.S.
• Age: 17
• Position: Centre
• Team: Riverview Redmen
• Grade: 12
• MHL Draft: Selected in the ninth-round, No. 103 overall, by the South Shore Lumberjacks in 2019

Prior to joining the Redmen, Fuller played his minor hockey with the Cape Breton County Minor Hockey Association, before joining the Joneljim Cougars major bantam team for the 2016-17 season.

He later played one season with the Cape Breton Jets minor midget 'AAA' team, before joining the Tradesmen last season, where he recorded nine goals and 27 points in 35 games.

This season, Fuller leads the Cape Breton High School Hockey League in goals (16), assists (18) and points (34) in 15 games.

“I think my season is going pretty good, I’m getting a few bounces,” said Fuller, noting he plays on a line with Kendall MacQueen and Sam MacKinnon.

Fuller and the Redmen opened the Red Cup Showcase Wednesday against the Memorial Marauders. 

The Redmen, who are first overall in the Cape Breton league with a 15-1-0-0 record, will continue the tournament Thursday when they play the Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals of Antigonish. Game time is set for 5 p.m. at the Coxheath venue.

“They have a couple of guys from major midget, so I wouldn’t underestimate them,” said Fuller of the Royals. “We have to play our game and not give up too many opportunities.”

Fuller, a ninth-round draft pick of the Maritime Junior Hockey League’s South Shore Lumberjacks in 2019, believes his team has what it takes to win their second-straight Red Cup title.

“We have to work together if we want to make it happen,” said Fuller. “I think the boys know we have to be focused more this week and if we do that, we should have success.”

Following Thursday's action, Riverview will resume play on Friday with a pair of games. The team will play the Northumberland Nighthawks of Westville at 1 p.m., followed by rivals, Sydney Academy Wildcats at 5 p.m.

The semifinals will be played on Saturday at 10 a.m. and noon, while the championship game is slated for later in the day at 4 p.m.

“Winning the Red Cup would be the highlight of my graduating year,” said Fuller. “It would be awesome to experience winning the title in front of our supporters and the community — I can only imagine."