Kitchener Rangers, OHL champs
Head coach and GM: Peter DeBoer
2007-08 record: 53-11-1-3
CHL ranking: 1Playoffs: 16-4
Player to watch: Steve Mason. The MVP of the world junior tournament who led the Canadian entry to gold, Mason was acquired in January from the London Knights as one of the final pieces in the Rangers' push for the Cup. The 19-year-old goaltender suffered a torn knee ligament on April 8 and hasn't played since, but he's expected to be available during the tournament.
Spokane Chiefs, WHL champs
Head coach: Bill Peters
2007-08 record: 50-15-1-6
CHL ranking: 2
Playoffs: 16-5
Player to watch: Drayson Bowman. The native of Littleton, Colo., was passed over for the U.S. world junior team but led the Chiefs in scoring in the regular season and in the playoffs, piling up 42 goals in 66 games during the year and 11 more in 21 postseason games. The 19-year-old left winger was a third-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in last year's entry draft.
Belleville Bulls, OHL runner-up
Head coach and GM: George Burnett
2007-08 record: 48-14-4-2
CHL ranking: 3
Playoffs: 15-6
Player to watch: Shawn Matthias. Best known as the player whom the Florida Panthers received for Todd Bertuzzi at the 2007 trade deadline, Matthias sat out all but one game of the OHL playoffs because of a bout with mononucleosis. The big centre, who scored two goals in a four-game stint in the NHL this season, will play in the tournament.
Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL champs
Head coach and GM: Benôit Groulx
2007-08 record: 43-19-6-2
CHL ranking: 9
Playoffs: 16-3
Player to watch: Claude Giroux. The first-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers didn't miss a beat after a star turn for Canada at the world juniors, finishing his QMJHL season with 38 goals and 106 points in 55 games. Giroux ran away with the league scoring lead in the postseason with 17 goals and 51 points in 19 games to finish with 15 more points than the CHL's next highest scorer (Justin Azevedo of the Rangers). Giroux was an incredible plus-33 in the playoffs and is the hottest player going into the tournament.
James Mirtle
