Cranberry youth gets rare opportunity
CRANBERRY TWP — From the time he was 2, Eli Baugh took to skating. He took to hockey shortly thereafter.
Now the Cranberry Township resident is becoming part of one of the most prestigious 10-under hockey tournaments in the world.
Eli was recently selected to play for Team Pennsylvania in the annual Brick Hockey Tournament, hosted by Edmonton, Alberta, in Canada the week of July 4. He is one of 16 players on the squad, whittled down from 200 prospects over a two-and-a-half year period.
The Team Pennsylvania roster consists of players from Pa., Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and New Jersey. The NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers combined to sponsor the team.
The Brick Tournament consists of seven teams from the United States and seven from Canada. Other U.S. teams are from Detroit, Chicago, Minnesota, Connecticut, California and Washington. Canadian teams are from Vancouver, Alberta, Quebec, Toronto (2), Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
“It takes youths with special skills to compete in this event,” Team Pennsylvania coach Trevor Edwards said. “You have to have outstanding skating ability and puck skills.
“You also need to be a team player and have a high hockey IQ. Eli has all of those things. Being a team player is his biggest attribute and that’s the type of player we need to succeed.”
Edwards has coached Eli over the past three seasons.
The Connecticut Junior Rangers are three-time champions of the Brick Tournament. More than 200 alumni from this event have gone on to pay in the NHL, including current or former Penguins Jason Zucker, Brock McGinn, Ivan Rodriguez and John Marino. Numerous others have played in the NAHL or major college hockey.
“Kids have to be invited to even try out for this,” Eli’s father, Andrew Baugh, said. “This was a long process in determining who’s on this team. Eli’s excited about it and we’re excited for him.”
Select teams from all over North America attend this tournament for scouting purposes. Off-ice activities include a beach party and skills competition.
Eli has been playing organized hockey since age 4. He recently completed his third year with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, which was ranked fourth in the nation this year.
Eli is a big NHL fan as well.
“We got to some Penguin games during the year and I follow a lot of teams,” Eli said. “Connor McDavid plays for Edmonton and it’s going to be cool going to that city. I always get excited when I go to new places.
“This is hockey at a whole new level. I’m meeting new friends. I already know the names of the other kids on my team.”
Team Pennsylvania is scheduling some practice sessions and will compete in a tournament in Chicago in preparation for the Brick Tournament.
“This (Brick) tournament will be the equivalent of playing two levels up from what these kids are accustomed top,” Edwards said. “It will be interesting to see how they respond. That’s why we need heady, smart players.
“Eli can play center, wing, defense, almost anywhere on the ice.”
Eli comes from a hockey family. His older sister, Mia, 11, plays for the Steel City Select. His younger brother, Max, 6, is playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite for the first time.
“I want to play hockey for as long as I can ... maybe even in the NHL,” Eli said.
He also plays soccer during the spring.
