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."

Michael MacMullen knows what it feels like to win the prestigious Red Cup Showcase championship trophy.

The 18-year-old goaltender was part of the Riverview Redmen championship team that defeated the Auburn Drive Eagles 4-3 in the tournament final last February.

Although it’s a moment the Sydney River native will never forget, he hopes to have that same feeling one final time later this week.

“It was an unbelievable experience to win the championship last year,” said MacMullen, who was also named the tournament’s top goaltender last year.

“I still remember the crowd and being on the ice and just remembering the play going on; it was a surreal moment.”

The Grade 12 student, who has an 8-0 regular-season record, will play in his third and final home tournament this week when the Redmen host the 42nd annual Red Cup Showcase at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre in Coxheath.

The four-day tournament will include the Redmen, Glace Bay Panthers, Memorial Marauders, Sydney Academy Wildcats, Dalbrae Dragons of Mabou, Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals of Antigonish, and the Northumberland Nighthawks of Westville.

The tournament will begin on Wednesday with two games on the schedule. Riverview will play Memorial at 5 p.m., while Glace Bay and Sydney Academy take to the ice at 7 p.m.

BIO

MICHAEL MACMULLEN

• Hometown: Sydney River, N.S.
• Age: 18
• Position: Goaltender
• Team: Riverview Redmen
• Grade: 12

MacMullen admits he hasn't thought much about this being his final tournament but is more focused on being ready to play the games.

“I don’t really think about stuff until it happens or until it’s over, but when I look back, I know it’s going to be emotional towards the end,” said MacMullen, who began playing nets during his first year of atom hockey.

“It’s going to be a great week of hockey; I’m a little disappointed the games aren’t at 7 p.m., but it’s still going to be a great tournament.”

Riverview, who won the Blue and White tournament last month, enters the event as the top team in the Cape Breton High School Hockey League with a 15-1-0-0 record, six points ahead of second-place Glace Bay in the standings.

The team has scored the second-most goals (70) behind only Glace Bay (79), while the goaltending duo of MacMullen and Josh Leudy has allowed the fewest goals-against (28) through 16 games.

Forward Nathaniel Fuller leads the Cape Breton league in points with 16 goals and 18 assists.

Meanwhile, Kendall MacQueen has recorded 11 goals and 20 points in 15 games. A.J. Ley (6 goals and 12 assists, 18 points) and Chase Sampson (8 goals and 8 assists, 16 points) are also in the league’s top 10 in points.

Redmen head coach Jimmy Smith said his team is well prepared for the tournament.

“We’re as ready as we’re going to be,” he said. “We’ve just got over some injuries and the boys are excited, so we’re ready to get things started.”

Riverview has six returning players from last year’s team, along with 11 first-year players, however, Smith doesn’t consider the club to be as deep in offense as last year.

This year’s tournament will have some changes to its format. The event will take place from Wednesday to Saturday, instead of the traditional Thursday to Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Redmen will also play earlier games during the day and will not play any games after 5 p.m., a decision made by both the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education and Riverview High School.

Despite some controversy over the tournament changes, Smith said the team never got involved in it and focused on playing hockey.

“The administrative stuff is not our department — we stayed away from it,” said Smith. “We just focused on what we had control over and that was hockey, so hopefully everything will work out for everybody.”

Following Wednesday's game, Riverview will take on Dr. J.H. Gillis on Thursday at 5 p.m. The team will play a pair of games on Friday at 1 p.m. against Northumberland and 5 p.m. against Sydney Academy.

The tournament semifinals are slated for Saturday at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., while the championship game will be played later in the day at 4 p.m.

As for MacMullen, for now, he’ll enjoy his final Red Cup games and hopes to hoist the championship trophy over his head one final time this weekend.

“The more nervous I get, I find the better I play and the more confident I am because I don’t want to mess up,” said MacMullen. “I’ll be locked in, knowing there’s no more chances to win the Red Cup after this week.”

RED CUP SHOWCASE SCHEDULE

Teams: Riverview Redmen, Glace Bay Panthers, Memorial Marauders, Sydney Academy Wildcats, Dalbrae Dragons, Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals, and Northumberland Nighthawks

Wednesday:

• 5 p.m. – Riverview vs. Memorial
• 7 p.m. – Glace Bay vs. Sydney Academy

Thursday:

• 5 p.m. – Riverview vs. Dr. J.H. Gillis
• 7 p.m. – Dalbrae vs. Northumberland

Friday:

• 9 a.m. – Sydney Academy vs. Dr. J.H. Gillis
• 11 a.m. – Glace Bay vs. Dalbrae
• 1 p.m. – Riverview vs. Northumberland
• 3 p.m. – Memorial vs. Dr. J.H. Gillis
• 5 p.m. – Riverview vs. Sydney Academy
• 7 p.m. – Dalbrae vs. Memorial
• 9 p.m. – Glace Bay vs. Northumberland

Saturday:

• 10 a.m. – Semifinal
• 12 p.m. – Semifinal
• 4 p.m. – Championship Game

*All games played at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre, Coxheath.

The 42nd annual Red Cup Showcase high school hockey tournament will begin Wednesday at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre in Coxheath.

The tournament will feature seven teams, including five local representatives as well as two mainland teams.

Joining the host Riverview Redmen in the tournament will be the Glace Bay Panthers, Memorial Marauders, Sydney Academy Wildcats, Dalbrae Dragons of Mabou, Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals of Antigonish, and Northumberland Nighthawks on Westville.

Riverview enters the Red Cup with a 15-1-0-0 record and is first overall in the Cape Breton High School Hockey League.

The Redmen are led offensively by Nathaniel Fuller, who currently leads the Cape Breton league with 16 goals and 18 assists for 34 points in 15 games. Kendall MacQueen (11 goals, 9 assists, 20 points), A.J. Ley (6 goals, 12 assists, 18 points), and Chase Sampson (8 goals and 8 assists, 16 points) are also in the league’s top 10 in points.

The team has two experienced goaltenders in Michael MacMullen and Josh Leudy. MacMullen will play in his third Red Cup, while Leudy joined the team this year after playing with the Cape Breton Unionized Tradesmen of the major midget league.

Riverview has won the Red Cup four times since 2010.

Glace Bay will look to win its third Red Cup title in six years this week.

The Panthers — who last won the Red Cup 2016 — have an 11-2-3-0 record and are second overall in the Cape Breton High School Hockey League.

Glace Bay has one of the top offenses in the league and is led by Xavier Johnson with nine goals and 24 points. He’s followed closely by Logan Snow (11 goals and 12 assists, 23 points) and Matthew MacIntosh (12 goals and 7 assists, 19 points).

Jarrett Hicks (12 goals and 7 assists, 19 points), and Connor MacIntyre (4 goals and 12 assists, 17 points) are also in the league’s top 10 in points.

Colton Boutilier and Owen Coombes are the team’s goaltending duo. Boutilier is 5-1 with a 1.40 goals-against-average, while Coombes is 5-2 with a 2.24 goals-against-average.

Memorial has had a difficult season in the Cape Breton High School Hockey League when it comes to the win column, but is not a team to take for granted.

The Marauders are 4-12-1-1 in the Cape Breton league and sit third overall in the four-team division.

Nolan Ryan leads the team in points with four goals and 12 assists for 16 points and is followed closely by Dovi Walker (7 goals and 6 assists, 13 points), and Jacob Fraser (5 goals and 8 assists, 13 points).

Another player who is on the verge of breaking out is Kody Groves. He has three goals and six points in 11 games, but always seems to be in on the action and could very well have a big tournament for the team.

Aiden Penny and Cole Pygiel manage the crease for the Sydney Mines-based school.

COMPETING TEAMS:

• Riverivew Redmen, Coxheath, N.S.
• Sydney Academy Wildcats, Sydney, N.S.
• Glace Bay Panthers, Glace Bay, N.S.
• Memorial Marauders, Sydney Mines, N.S.
• Dalbrae Dragons, Mabou, N.S.
• Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals, Antigonish, N.S.
• Northumberland Nighthawks, Westville, N.S.

The Sydney Academy Wildcats are in last place in the Cape Breton league, but have progressed fairly well in their second year back in the league.

The team is 4-11-1-1 through 17 games, but the record doesn’t indicate the team’s talent. The Wildcats have had some fairly close games with the big guns in Riverivew and Glace Bay this season.

Sydney Academy can’t be taken for granted, considering they surprised many last month at the City of Lakes tournament in Dartmouth, where they advanced as far as the semifinals in the 16-team event.

Dalbrae Academy is the top team in the Cape Breton West High School Hockey League with an 11-0-2-0 record.

The Dragons have plenty of offense, and are led by former Rimouski Océanic draft pick Matthew Ellis, who leads the league with 19 goals and 32 points in 13 games.

Other players to watch on Dalbare are Griffin Spears, Jayden Muise, Keith MacDonell and Luke Gould, all of whom are among the league’s top 10 in points.

Dr. J.H. Gillis play in the five-team Northern Nova Scotia High School Hockey League and is currently in fourth place with a 4-7-1-1 record.

Seth Mattie leads the Antigonish school in points this year with 10 goals and four assists in 13 games, while Craig Landry is averaging a point per game with eight goals and four assists in 12 games.

The Royals have allowed the second-most goals against (54) in the league, while scoring the third-most goals for (38) through 13 games.

Northumberland is first overall in the Northern Nova Scotia league with an 10-3-1-0 record.

The team has scored the most goals (65) in the league, while allowing the third-fewest goals against (41) with netminders Brayden Leblanc and Cody MacDougall between the pipes.

Jayden Hatchard powers the offense for the Westville school with eight goals and 19 points, while Connor MacLeod has nine goals and seven assists, and Joseph Mason has notched nine goals and five assists.

The Red Cup Showcase will begin with two games Wednesday. The host Redmen will face the Marauders at 5 p.m., while Glace Bay plays Sydney Academy at 7 p.m.

The tournament semifinals are slated for Saturday morning, while the championship game is scheduled for later in the day at 4 p.m. at the Coxheath venue.

PAST RED CUP SHOWCASE WINNERS:

• 2000 – Riverview
• 2001 – King’s-Edgehill
• 2002 – Millwood
• 2003 – Glace Bay
• 2004 – Riverview
• 2005 – King’s-Edgehill
• 2006 – Memorial
• 2007 – Dr. J.H. Gillis
• 2008 – Riverview
• 2009 – Glace Bay
• 2010 – King’s-Edgehill
• 2011 – Riverview
• 2012 – Riverview
• 2013 – Riverview
• 2014 – King’s-Edgehill
• 2015 – Glace Bay
• 2016 – Glace Bay
• 2017 – Cancelled
• 2018 – Halifax West
• 2019 – Riverview

*Winners since 2000

Kendall MacQueen netted a hat trick to lead the Riverview Redmen to a 5-2 win over the Sydney Academy Wildcats in Cape Breton High School Hockey League action at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre on Friday.

Bryce MacKenzie and Chase Sampson also found the back of the net for the Redmen.

Zach Conn and Dante Basque replied with goals for the Redmen.

Riverview's Josh Leudy made 23 saves. Sydney Academy's Liam Collings stopped 30 of 35 shots.

Cape Breton High School Hockey League action resumes on Sunday with the Glace Bay Panthers hosting the Memorial Marauders at 7 p.m. at the Canada Games Complex in Sydney.

sports@cbpost.com
Twitter: @CBPost_Sports
 

The Glace Bay Panthers picked up a 5-1 road win over the Riverview Redmen in Cape Breton High School Hockey League action at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre on Friday.

Logan Snow and Adam Hicks both had a goal and an assist in the game for the Panthers. Mitchell Hiscock, Matthew MacIntosh and Xavier Johnson also scored goals for Glace Bay.

Chase Sampson had the lone goal for the Redmen.

Glace Bay's Colton Boutilier made 30 saves. Riverview's Josh Leudy turned aside 29 of 34 shots.

The Panthers outshot the Redmen 34-31 in the game.

sports@cbpost.com
Twitter: @CBPost_Sports