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