Memorial Cup in Kamloops Nov.30 (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

MEMORIAL CUP FESTIVAL

‘The event has changed since the ’90s’; Memorial Cup now a full community event

Dec 1, 2022 | 11:34 AM

KAMLOOPS — The four best junior hockey teams in Canada will descend on Kamloops in late May for the Memorial Cup. It’s the first time the tournament has been contested in Kamloops since 1995, when the Blazers were ending a junior hockey dynasty with their third Memorial Cup title in a four-year span. A lot has changed since the Cup was last awarded in the city; it’s now more than just a hockey tournament.

An over-arching community experience. While the main event will be eight hockey games contested at the Sandman Centre, the Memorial Cup has become a full fledged city-wide experience in the 28 years since it was last in Kamloops.

“You look at the impact the Blazers have had with this event, it’s incredible. That history and tradition is really important. But, I think they are looking to see how the event has changed since the ’90s when it was really more of a hockey event, hockey tournament if you will. Now it’s really a community festival with people participating in all sorts of activities,” said WHL Commissioner Ron Robison.

“We are planning something for everybody. We are going to have a golf tournament, we are going to have a concert series, we are going to have a leadership speaking series. We are going to have a ball hockey tournament, fan zone, hockey hall of fame. There is going to be something for everyone in the community,” added Yves Lacasse, Memorial Cup Organizing Committee Chair.

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With the tournament just under six months away, the organizing committee is hitting high gear in its preparations.

“It’s all about planning — planning is critical. It’s about building events from the ground up, recruiting volunteers, looking for sponsorship. It’s planning the entire games. Meetings every week, planning with our team — we have some great folks. It’s about building the house right now, we have a great foundation,” said Lacasse.

Ticket packages for the full eight game slate went on sale Thursday (Dec. 1) for the event with expectations that they won’t last long.

“Not only will the building be sold out for tickets really quickly, the events throughout the community, the corporate support and the community rallying around this event… I think it will be very, very successful,” said Robison.