Sport and culture come together in Burnaby for the 10th Anniversary of the Pat Quinn Classic

Burnaby, B.C. – Hockey teams from Burnaby secured six medals—three gold, one silver, and two bronze at the 2025 Pat Quinn Classic. However, the tournament’s standout story was the gold-medal performance and infectious enthusiasm of the Kushiro Blue Stars, visiting from Burnaby’s sister city in Japan.

The Blue Stars went undefeated through six games to capture the U13 AAA Integrated Flight 2 Division title. While they were clinical on the ice, their primary mission off the ice was cultural immersion.

“It’s been a good experience for the kids,” explained Kushiro coach Hitomi Nakajima of the East Hokkaido Sports Commission, during a pizza party with players from the Burnaby Minor Hockey Association. “It’s an unforgettable memory.”  This was the Japan team’s first visit to Canada. “Obviously, they will remember the hockey, but also the culture.”

“They are a great group of kids,” said Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley as he praised the international visitors for their spirit. “They bring so much to the tournament. “They love hockey, but they also love meeting the other teams and having fun.”

The Japanese team visited Kushiro Park on Burnaby Mountain, some big hockey shops and saw a Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena.

The sister city relationship between Kushiro and Burnaby started in 1965, just a few years after the Burnaby Minor Hockey Association began hosting an annual holiday season hockey tournament.  Relaunched in 2015 as the Pat Quinn Classic, the event has evolved into a premier date on the minor hockey calendar.

“It’s amazing to see the growth and all the happy faces enjoying high level hockey,” added Hurley. “Everyone is here in good spirits. People love coming here to enjoy the hockey and the camaraderie that’s built through the tournament. It’s a big part of the holiday season and has become a big tradition in Burnaby. We look forward to keeping it going.”

Vancouver Giants President and Majority Owner Ron Toigo, in attendance at the 2025 Pat Quinn Classic to watch his grandson compete, highlighted the tournament’s growing influence on the hockey world. With more than 250 tournament players drafted into the Western Hockey League to date, Toigo noted that the event has become a significant source of pride for Burnaby. “The word is out,” Toigo said, pointing to the influx of international teams and scouts. “It’s worthwhile to make the effort to get here.”

The 2025 Pat Quinn Classic took place from December 27 to 31, featuring 55 teams competing across eight divisions, from Female U11 to Integrated U17.  More information about the tournament is available here.

Story by Sam Corea

Photos by Manto Nakamura

Additional Information:

For more sport stories visit here.