The two teams made history in 2024.
Can they repeat that history in 2025?
The Penticton Knights defeated the Vernon Watkin Motors Mustangs 7-1 in the final of the Vernon Winter Carnival Coca-Cola Classic Peewee (U13) Hockey Tournament. It was the first time in the tournament's 61-year history that two Okanagan teams played in the Amy Myles A Division championship.
The Knights 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ rebranded in 2024-25 as the Penticton Jr. Vees 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ will be back to defend their title at the 62nd annual Coke Classic Feb. 13-16 at Kal Tire Place North.
The tournament committee announced the seven visiting teams that will join the host Mustangs on social media Tuesday, Jan. 14.
The visitors feature two teams from south of the border.
The California Goldrush from Lake Forest, in Orange County, who were in the tournament a year ago, return. They'll be joined by fellow American squad Coeur D'Alene Hockey Academy from Idaho.
Two squads from Alberta will take part next month: the Wheatland Braves from Strathmore, and the Foothills Bisons, which draws players from the communities of High River, Turner Valley, Nanton, Claresholm, and Vulcan.
Joining Vernon and Penticton from B.C. are the Coquitlam Comets and the North Island Strathcona Bears from Comox Valley.
The tournament will get underway Thursday, Feb. 13, with the host Watkin Motors Mustangs playing in the event's opening game at 8 a.m. Opening ceremonies will be at 5:45 p.m., and Vernon will play its second game at 6 p.m.
The Mustangs will close out the preliminary round Friday, Feb. 14, at 5 p.m.
There will be a pair of four-team round-robin pools. Top two teams will play in the championship side semifinals Saturday afternoon, Feb. 15, and the bottom two teams will meet on the consolation side.
The four divisional finals go Sunday, Feb. 16.
The Mustangs last won their home event in 2018 with a 9-5 win over Yellowknife. It was third of three straight tournament titles for Watkin Motors from 2016-18.
Vernon has won the Coca-Cola Classic nine times in the 61-year history of the tournament. Penticton won its only appearance in the title game in 2024.
All games in the tournament will be played at Kal Tire Place North.
More information on the event can be found at .
