1979 Air Canada Cup
The 1979 Air Canada Cup was Canada's inaugural national midget 'AAA' hockey championship. It took place April 16 - 22, 1979 at the Winnipeg Arena in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association established the Air Canada Cup for the 1978–79 season as the new official midget championship, replacing the invitational Wrigley National Midget Tournament.
The Couillard de Ste-Foy captured the first national championship, defeating St. Michael's College Buzzers in the gold medal game. The Notre Dame Hounds took the bronze medal.
Future National Hockey League players competing at the inaugural Air Canada Cup were Garry Galley, Paul Gillis, Mike Moller, Randy Moller, Tony Tanti, James Patrick, and future Hall of Fame defenceman Al MacInnis.Teams
Round robin
DC8 Flight
Standings
Scores
- St. Michael's College 6 - Red Deer 0
- Notre Dame 11 - Andrews 2
- North Shore 4 - St. James 3
- North Shore 8 - Red Deer 8
- St. Michael's College 5 - Notre Dame 3
- St. James 2 - Andrews 2
- Notre Dame 3 - North Shore 2
- St. Michael's College 5 - Andrews 2
- St. James 5 - Red Deer 3
- North Shore 4 - St. Michael's College 3
- Red Deer 8 - Andrews 2
- Notre Dame 4 - St. James 3
- North Shore 9 - Andrews 2
- Notre Dame 4 - Red Deer 2
- St. Michael's College 5 - St. James 2
DC9 Flight
Standings
Scores
- Ottawa West 5 - Antigonish 4
- Ste-Foy 14 - Corner Brook 1
- Eastern 4 - Moncton 3
- Ottawa West 5 - Corner Brook 1
- Ste-Foy 9 - Eastern 1
- Antigonish 5 - Moncton 4
- Ste-Foy 8 - Moncton 1
- Ottawa West 5 - Eastern 2
- Corner Brook 4 - Antigonish 2
- Ottawa West 3 - Moncton 3
- Ste-Foy 7 - Antigonish 2
- Eastern 5 - Corner Brook 4
- Antigonish 7 - Eastern 3
- Moncton 4 - Corner Brook 1
- Ste-Foy 3 - Ottawa West 1
Playoffs
- Notre Dame 7 - Ottawa West 2
- Ste-Foy 9 - St. Michael's College 7
Individual awards
- Most Valuable Player: Pierre Rioux
- Top Scorer: Claude Drouin
- Most Sportsmanlike Player: Paul Houck