kamloops - 2023 Memorial Cup

WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023

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KAMLOOPS BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 25 TO JUNE 4 –

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B2 WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023

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Nominate your community leader

www.kamloopsthisweek.com/leader-awards Submissions should be approximately 250 words and include information such as: length of time nominee has spent in the community; specific examples of the work and/or contribution he/she has made; community associations and memberships. Please provide references of other individuals who may be able to provide further support on the nominee’s behalf.

Deadline for nominations: Wednesday, May 31

NOMINATION CATEGORIES: COACH Makes a positive contribution to their sport. Is exemplary in developing skills and confidence in participants. A role model who inspires and encourages high athletic achievement.

COMMUNITY BUILDER Someone who has taken the initiative to engage a variety of local residents in an innovative or new community project or event. The initiative may assist different groups to work together, address a gap in community participation, or result in a more inclusive, engaged community.

VOLUNTEER This individual makes a positive contribution to the community by volunteering their time to a variety of causes. They are dedicated to making a difference in several initiatives.

FRESH IMPACT This person has been in Kamloops less than 3 years but is already making an impact in the community in a leadership position in business, volunteer work or other community involvement.

UNDER 40 This person under 40 is recognized for going above and beyond in our community who in a variety of fields and endeavours.

YOUTH VOLUNTEER A youth that is 19 or under that makes a positive contribution in the community through volunteering. Someone who has committed to making a difference to an organization or individual.

MENTOR Makes a positive contribution by being a true leader. An influential counselor, teacher or educator that provides support or sponsorship.

Demonstrates a high level of ethics and professional standards, is an inspirational motivator, excellent communicator, good listener and a reliable resource to the community.

COURAGE This person has risen above adversity or formidable challenges to become a success. As a result, they have had a positive effect on the people around them.

ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER Everyone is talking about the carbon footprint, but this award celebrates a person who is walking their talk, whether it be riding their bike to work year-round, reusing and reducing, and taking great steps in setting an example for others to follow.

INDIGENOUS LEADER This person is making a positive impact on indigenous business and culture in Kamloops and area. Helping spread awareness and growing relationships within Kamloops with indigenous businesses and organizations.

WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023

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HOST SQUAD: KAMLOOPS BLAZERS General manager and head coach: Shaun Clouston The Kamloops Blazers captured their fourth consecutive B.C. Division title this year en route to finishing second overall in the WHL’s Western Conference and third overall in the league, with 103 points.

The Blazers opened the playoffs with a four-game sweep of the Vancouver Giants, then followed that up with a four-game sweep of the Portland Winterhawks. That set up a much anticipated Western Conference final against the Seattle Thunderbirds.

WHL CHAMPIONS: SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS General manager: Bil La Forge Head coach: Matt O’Dette The Seattle Thunderbirds once called Kamloops home.

The Thunderbirds began life as the Vancouver Nats in 1971 before moving to Kamloops in 1973 to become the Chiefs. The club decamped for Seattle in 1977, where they were known as the Breakers before changing their name to the Thunderbirds in 1985.

Seattle has one of the strongest Western Hockey League teams ever assembled, boasting five NHL first-round picks: Reid Schaefer OHL CHAMPIONS: PETERBOROUGH PETES General manager: Michael Oke Head coach: Rob Wilson The Peterborough Petes enter the 2023 Memorial Cup tournament in Kamloops carrying an impressive record — the club has nine Memorial Cup appearances, the most by any team since the tournament adopted its round-robin format in 1972.

Right on their heels are two teams they will face in Kamloops: the host Blazers and the QMJHL champions Quebec Remparts, each with seven appearances in the tournament.

The Petes had a tougher road to the QMJHL CHAMPIONS: QUEBEC REMPARTS General manager and head coach: Patrick Roy The Quebec Remparts, coached by NHL hall of famer and multiple Stanley Cup winner Patrick Roy, have something in common with the host Kamloops Blazers — both have the second-most Memorial Cup appearances, with seven, since the round-robin format of the tournament began in 1972.

The Remparts were a powerhouse in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season, topping the Eastern Conference and finishing first overall in the 18-team circuit with

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Last season, Kamloops had home ice advantage and dropped a 3-2 decision to Seattle in Game 7 at Sandman Centre.

This season, the Thunderbirds had home ice advantage and won Game 1 by a score of 5-1. Game 2 turned out to be a crucial contest as Kamloops had a pair of two-goal leads, only to lose 4-3 in overtime .

The Blazers managed to win Game 3 at home (4-1) and Game 5 on the road (4-2) before Seattle ended the season for the locals with a 4-2 victory in Game 6 at Sandman Centre.

Kamloops has been led by centre Logan Stankoven, with the 2021 Dallas Stars’ secondround pick tallying 97 points (34 goals, 63 assists) in the regular season and 30 points

(10 goals, 20 assists) in 14 playoff games. Left winger Caedan Bankier had 85 points (37 goals, 48 assists) in the regular season, with the Minnesota Wild’s 2021 third-round pick racking up 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 14 playoff games.

Olen Zellweger, who won the WHL Defenceman of the Year Award this season and had 82 points in the regular season, 52 of those after being traded to Kamloops from Everett in January. The Anaheim Ducks’ 2021 secondround pick has 29 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 14 playoff games.

In goal, Dylan Ernst has been solid, recording three shutouts, a 2.57 goals against average and a .913 save percentage in 14 playoff games.

(32nd overall, Edmonton, 2022), Kevin Korchinski (seventh overall, Chicago, 2022), Dylan Guenther (ninth overall, Arizona, 2021), Brad Lambert (30th overall, Winnipeg, 2022) and Nolan Allan (32nd overall, Chicago, 2021).

The Thunderbirds finished first in the Western Conference this season (and second overall, just behind Winnipeg) with 111 points.

In the playoffs, Seattle swept Kelowna 4-0 in the first round, swept Prince George 4-0 in the second round, defeated Kamloops in six games in the third round and won the WHL title by eliminating Winnipeg in five games.

They have been led this year by centre Jared Davidson, a Montreal Canadiens’ draft pick, who collected 82 points (38 goals, 44 assists)

in 60 games. Left winger Lucas Ciona, a 2021 sixth-round draft pick of the Calgary Flames registered 75 points (28 goals, 47 assists).

Defenceman Jeremy Hanzel was all by himself in plus/minus territory this year, at plus 70, while fellow rearguard Kevin Korchinski was third in team scoring (11 goals and 62 assists for 73 points) while being the U.S. Division nominee for defenceman of the year in the WHL (an award won by Kamloops Blazer Olen Zellweger).

Thomas Milic won the WHL’s Goaltender of the Year Award this season, recording 47 wins while posting a 2.44 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. He also backstopped Team Canada to the 2023 World Junior title.

Memorial Cup than its three opponents, sweeping Sudbury in the first round, with the widest margin of victory being two goals.

Peterborough then upset Ottawa in six games despite finishing fourth in the 10-team Eastern Conference, 33 points behind the 67’s, who finished first in the 20-team Ontario Hockey League this season, with 107 points.

That shocker of a result then led to an Eastern Conference final series comeback from being down three games to two to defeat North Bay in seven games, the deciding contest a 3-2 Petes’ win on the road.

Left winger Brennan Othmann led the Petes in playoff scoring, with 25 points, while defenceman Donovan McCory was atop the

plus/minus ledger, at plus 12.

Netminder Michael Simpson has a 2.80 goals against average this post-season, with a save percentage of .918 amid two sensational 50- and 51-save performances in the league final.

During the regular season, centre Tucker Robertson led the way with 90 points (36 goals, 54 assist), aided by right winger Connor Lockhart’s 79 points (29 goals, 50 assists) and 77 points (43 goals, 34 assists) from right winger Avery Hayes.

On defence, Samuel Mayer led scoring with nine goals and 39 assists for 48 points, while also topping the plus/minus list, at plus 24.

109 points. In the regular season, the club won 53 games and lost only 14 times, with three of those setbacks coming in extra time.

In the playoffs, Quebec continued its dominant ways, losing just twice in 18 games spanning four rounds.

The Remparts swept each of Charlottetown, Rimouski and Gatineau in four games before eliminating Halifax — a team that finished with 107 points in the regular season, just two points behind Quebec — in six games for the league title and the right to compete in Kamloops.

Up front, Quebec’s scoring is paced by left winger Zachary Bolduc, a 2021 first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues, who tallied

110 points in the regular season.

Centre Théo Rochette had 106 points in the regular season, while centre Justin Robidas, a fifth-round pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2021, amassed 78 points and is the team’s leading scorer in the playoffs.

On defence, the Remparts are anchored by Nicholas Savoie, a finalist this season for the Kevin Lowe Trophy, awarded annually to the QMJHL’s top defensive defenceman. Savoie was a plus 38 on the ice, scoring seven goals and adding 41 assists.

Goaltender William Rousseau went 16-2 in the playoffs en route to the league title and had a 2.22 goals against average and a .908 save percentage in 47 regular season games.

B4 WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023

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Ken Hitchcock, who led the Kamloops Blazers to Western Hockey League titles in 1986 and 1990, speaks at the July 2021 memorial service for club president Don Moores, who died suddenly on June 30, 2021. Moores had been president of the Blazers for five years and was credited with righting the ship and returning the organization to the prestigious position it finds itself in today.

Hitchcock is in town for the Memorial Cup tournament, games for which begin on Friday, May 26, when the host Blazers play Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion Quebec Remparts.

DAVE EAGLES/KTW FILE PHOTO

Players get sage advice: ‘Enjoy the moment’ MARTY HASTINGS STAFF REPORTER

sports@kamloopsthisweek.com

K

en Hitchcock ambled into McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre on May 20, the fourthwinningest coach in NHL history making an unscheduled visit to chat with his old pal, Don Hay, and the Kamloops Blazers’ coaching staff after practice.

The former Blazers’ bench boss — who led Kamloops to a pair of league titles and Memorial Cup appearances — agreed to an interview with KTW and did not hesitate when asked to deliver advice to players and coaches making final preparations for the Memorial Cup tournament.

“Have fun,” Hitchcock said.

“That’s the No. 1 thing. It’s really difficult because there is a lot of pressure — pressure from media, pressure coming from your own fan base. You’ve just got to be able to handle it.”

KTW tracked down head coach Shaun Clouston, assistant coach Chris Murray and signed NHL prospects Olen Zellweger, Matthew Seminoff, Logan Stankoven and Daylan Kuefler, along with goalten-

der Dylan Ernst, to glean insight on the opportunity that lies ahead.

“It’s once in a lifetime, honestly,” Ernst said. “We all know that.”

Clouston said the same thing.

So did Zellweger.

Everyone interviewed, in their own way, noted the oneoff nature of the experience, its singularity adding to its weight, an already heavy load thanks to desires for revenge on the Seattle Thunderbirds and the crystal-clear goal reinforced by majority owner Tom Gaglardi.

“We want to win it,” Gaglardi said during a recent appearance on the Kamloops Last Week webcast/podcast. “That’s the goal.

There’s nothing other than that.

We’re not thinking about any other accomplishments other than winning the thing.”

Hitchcock’s advice is sage and seems simple, but when the stakes are so high, having fun is easier said than done, said Murray, a two-time Memorial Cup champion who also tasted defeat in both the Stanley Cup and Calder Cup finals.

“There is a lot of emotion that gets built up into it. It has a tendency with young guys to pull them out of enjoying the moment,” Murray said. “It’s really important you enjoy the moment — every bit

of it. You’ve still got to take care of your preparation and your rest and hydration, but you need to enjoy what you’re doing. This is such a great opportunity. It’s not life or death. We deal with stuff like that at the fire hall. This is a game. It’s a sport. It’s a chance to do something great.”

The Blazers did their best last week to turn the page on the Western Conference final, with emphasis on short, upbeat, hightempo practices.

“It’s taken me a bit to get over that series,” said Blazers’ captain Stankoven, who led the WHL playoffs in scoring, but was not content with his own production in the Seattle series.

“Personally, it was really disappointing, but I’ve taken some time to reset, refocus and it’s good to be around the guys. You’ve got to enjoy each day. It’s really important, but it’s the game of hockey.

When you’re having the most fun, that’s when things are clicking and you just kind of get into the zone.”

Preparation for this moment began long ago, with help from mental-performance coach Bob Wilkie, who has been in the players’ ears since the loss to Seattle.

“The pressure from the fans is no more than the pressure we

put on ourselves,” said Minten, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ prospect from Yaletown in Vancouver.

“We’re used to the pressure and feeling like we want to win. It’s just being competitive to us. Having fun is why we play. This is the greatest opportunity we’ll get in junior hockey, so I think it’s great advice and something we’ve been striving for all year.”

Minten also highlighted internal motivation, the last crack at fulfillment for a team built to win, a squad that will soon be dismantled.

“We’re a little bit hungrier coming back after the defeat,” Minten said. “It’s our last ride with this group. There will be, probably, half the team not here next year. We’re going to give it our all.”

Zellweger’s sights have been on the T-Birds, who melted the Winnipeg Ice in five games to claim the WHL title.

“Yeah, for sure,” said Zellweger, the Anaheim Ducks’ prospect and back-to-back WHL defenceman of the year.

“Whatever team was going to win would have been fine, but now that it’s Seattle, we get another chance at them. We weren’t 100 per cent happy with our games against them, so it will be awe-

some to get another chance to beat them.

“You want to beat the best.

That’s how you feel good. You want to beat the best team.”

Clouston reported no injuries serious enough to keep players out of the lineup and said there will be focus on bringing more energy into games, with increased emphasis on tenacity in net-front areas.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing for most people,” Clouston said.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for the whole group. It’s awesome.”

Seminoff plans to drink in the experience and hopes to sip from the Memorial Cup. “As you get older, it starts to get a little more easy to enjoy it,” said Seminoff, the Dallas Stars’ prospect from Coquitlam. “It’s such a cool experience. I’ve never played in the Memorial Cup, but we have mentors here and they all have said just to enjoy it.”

Murray is among those mentors.

“I’ve been through these great big events that are impactful for the rest of your life,” Murray said.

“It’s important to enjoy the moment, stay in the moment and focus on what you can control.

Don’t worry about all the noise. Be present every minute.”

WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023

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Q&A with Blazers’ majority owner Tom Gaglardi MARTY HASTINGS STAFF REPORTER

sports@kamloopsthisweek.com

The Memorial Cup tourney will get underway on Friday, May 26, at Sandman Centre.

KTW checked in with Blazers’ majority owner Tom Gaglardi, who was also following his NHL Dallas Stars’ post-season journey, to get his thoughts on the event.

KTW: What has this period of ownership been like for you, with two teams on notable post-season runs and the Blazers preparing to host the Memorial Cup? GAGLARDI: Pretty stressful. The Blazers had a long run and so every day you’re in the pressure cooker, it seems.

It seemed like a lot of the Blazers and the Stars playing days rotated, so never really had much of a day off, but proud of our group and just fell a little short in the third round.

Tom Gaglardi: “I’m super excited for Kamloops. It’s so thrilling to see the community support for the Blazers back to where it was at its peak.”

ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW FILE PHOTO

KTW: How do you assess the Blazers’ season so far?

GAGLARDI: It was a great season, just a great season, really. We had some injuries to deal with, like most teams do, and we just fell short.

Seattle is a heck of a team. That’s as good a team that’s been produced

in the Dub in a long, long time. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them win the league this year, but we are right there. We know we can beat them. Our best players have got to be our best players and I think they have a bit more to give. I was in the building for Game 6 against Seattle.

The kids looked tired. Seattle seemed to have a little more oomph to them.

We, unfortunately, just didn’t have the greatest night for energy and it cost us, but it’s close. That overtime game, Game 2, really turned out to be the difference.

KTW: What else is it going to take to overcome the Thunderbirds when you play them again in the Memorial Cup? GAGLARDI: We beat them twice.

We lost in overtime. We were right there. They weren’t much better than we were. It’s going to be, in all likelihood, play them once in the roundrobin and, hopefully, maybe you play

them again in the elimination round.

We’ll have to be good. We’ll have to play Blazer hockey, limit our mistakes and score more than they do.

We need our power play. We relied on it all year. We’ll need our goaltender. Ernie’s [Blazers’ goaltender Dylan Ernst] been great. At the end of the day, give Milic [T-Birds’ netminder Thomas Milic] credit. Milic made some saves and he’s obviously an accomplished goalie.

I didn’t think that was the difference. I didn’t think goaltending was the difference in that series. I thought there were other things and Seattle just got the best of us, but not by a lot. We’ll be ready to go. We’re disappointed about losing, but we’re going to be rested. That’s an advantage going into this.

KTW: What will constitute success at the Memorial Cup? GAGLARDI: We want to win it.

That’s the goal. There’s nothing other than that. We’re not thinking about

any other accomplishments other than winning the thing.

KTW: What do you make of the buzz in the city and what this tournament can do for Kamloops?

GAGLARDI: It’s already kind of happened. There was a renaissance for Kamloops and the Blazers that happened about four or five years ago. We’ve just been rolling ever since. Unfortunately, COVID cost us a couple of playoff runs. It would have been great to see how the kids would have done, but here we are now. I’m super excited for Kamloops.

It’s so thrilling to see the community support for the Blazers back to where it was at its peak. We’ve got a major fan base. We’ve really put ourselves back on the hockey map in the last five years. We’re a destination where good players want to play.

Agents want their clients playing in Kamloops now. We’ve worked hard to get to this position to earn our credibility back.

B6 WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023

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THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME COMES TO KAMLOOPS Those who have had the good fortune to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto can attest to the thrill of spending hours upon hours being immersed in so much puck history.

For those who have not yet made the trek, some of the hall of fame’s wares will be making the trek west as a Hockey Hall of Fame exhibit will be staged in Kelson Hall, downtown at St. Paul Street and Third Avenue, from May 26 to June 4.

The Hockey Hall of Fame will showcase its most prized artifacts and trophies in Kamloops, something that is usually only available to fans who visit the hall of fame in

Toronto. The exhibit will have one-of-a-kind experiences, including Aboriginal Hockey, and have displays honouring Blazers’ alumni , including Scott Niedermayer and Jarome Iginla.

There will also be trophies and other items from each of Canada’s three major junior hockey leagues — Western, Ontario and Quebec — and from the World Championship (happening now through May 28 in Finland and Latvia) and the NHL. In addition, fans can engage with interactive exhibits and check out the hockey history in the Tournament Capital.

Admission is free.

HOURS OF OPERATION Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Opening weekend (Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28): 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Championship weekend: Saturday, June 3: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 4: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

MATTHEW MANOR/HOCKEY HALL OF FAME

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WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023

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Scavenger your way to Memorial Cup final LIGHTNING RUBBISH

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earning about environmental sustainability could land you a whole lot of Memorial Cup swag — including tickets to the championship game.

Thompson Rivers University is hosting a free digital scavenger hunt to encourage the public to learn about environmental sustainability while exploring Riverside Park.

The week-long contest will begin on Friday, May 26, at 2 p.m. and end on Friday, June 2, at 5 p.m.

The scavenger hunt is open to all and should take most people between 30 and 45 minutes to complete.

Players will participate in an interactive experience to complete sustainability related tasks, from answering trivia

questions to sharing photos at attractions throughout the park.

Everyone who finishes the scavenger hunt will receive a 10 per cent off coupon to the TRU Bookstore and will be eligible to win the grand prize, which includes: • Four tickets to the Memorial Cup championship game; • A $75 gift card to the official Memorial Cup merchandise store; • Four wristbands for admission to the pre-game entertainment venue VIP area; • Four drink tickets; • Four Memorial Cup VIP prize packs.

The scavenger hunt — part of TRU’s Eco Day sponsorship of the 2023 Memorial Cup — was designed by the university’s sustainability office.

To participate, contestants need to use the free Scavify app by downloading and installing Scavify from the App Store or Google Play. To enter the hunt, sign up to create a username on the app, then search for “2023 Eco Day Scavenger Hunt.”

The scavenger hunt will take place all around Riverside Park, with participants using the mobile app to complete challenges, track their progress and more.

Players who finish all 19 tasks and earn 19 points will be entered into the grand prize draw.

The winner of the Memorial Cup grand prize will be announced on Friday, June 2, at 6 p.m. at the Sustainability Expo, which will be held at the field on the east side of Riverside Park from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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FREE TRANSIT DURING THE TOURNAMENT BC Transit and the City of Kamloops have teamed up to provide free transit for those attending games and taking part in the Memorial Cup tournament from May 26 until June 4 at Sandman Centre downtown.

Transit will be free for anyone with game tickets and event staff, volunteers and media with

accreditation passes to the Memorial Cup. Round-robin games will be held between May 26 and June 1. The semifinal will be played at 7 p.m. on June 2 and the championship game will be held at 4 p.m. on June 4. For information on schedules, go online to bctransit.com/kamloops.

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B8 WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023

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EVENTSchedule ALL EVENT TIMES ARE PST

Shine Together We Shine Togeth ther h We Shine Together We Shine Togeth ther h We Shine Together We Shine Toge

WHERE EVENTS ARE LOCATED: Unless indicated otherwise Molson Canadian Hockey House ENTERTAINMENT VENUE BEHIND SANDMAN CENTRE

Activities

FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY VARIOUS LOCATIONS

Hockey Hall of Fame 330 ST. PAUL STREET KELSON HALL

SANDMAN CENTRE & MOLSON CANADIAN HOCKEY HOUSE & FAN ZONE: 300 LORNE STREET • RIVERSIDE PARK: 100 LORNE STREET

THURSDAY MAY 25

SUNDAY MAY 28

3:30PM Arrival of the Cup AT TK’EMLÚPS TE SECWÉPEMC POWWOW ARBOUR 7:30PM Opening Concert: Juno Award winners Glorious Sons 

9AM–2:30PM Hockey Hall of Fame 9AM–5PM Ball Hockey Tournament AT 4TH AVE & SEYMOUR STREET 10AM–5PM Fan Zone  Eco Day Scavenger Hunt AT RIVERSIDE PARK using Scavify app 1PM Hot Stove FEATURING Ajay Baines & Tom Renney 3PM Watch Party  GAME 3 5:30PM  Kamloops Music Spotlight: Forum

FRIDAY MAY 26 9AM–5:30PM Hockey Hall of Fame 2PM–8PM Fan Zone  Eco Day Scavenger Hunt AT RIVERSIDE PARK using Scavify app 4PM Hot Stove FEATURING Darryl Sydor, Mark Recchi & Tom Gaglardi 6PM Watch Party  GAME 1 8:30PM  Kamloops Music Spotlight: Matt Stanley & the Decoys

SATURDAY MAY 27

Locals Day

8:30AM–12:30PM Farmer’s Market 9AM–2:30PM Hockey Hall of Fame 9AM–5PM Ball Hockey Tournament AT 4TH AVE & SEYMOUR STREET  Eco Day Scavenger Hunt AT RIVERSIDE PARK using Scavify app 10AM–5PM Fan Zone 1PM Hot Stove FEATURING Blazer Alumni 1PM–3PM HeritageWalking Tours starting AT ST. ANDREWS ON THE SQUARE 3PM Watch Party  GAME 2 5:30PM  Kamloops Music Spotlight: Loops & Shattered Blues Band

Come celebrate and shine with us!

MONDAY MAY 29 9AM–5:30PM Hockey Hall of Fame 2PM–8PM Fan Zone  Eco Day Scavenger Hunt AT RIVERSIDE PARK using Scavify app 4PM Hot Stove FEATURING Joe Caldino & Kevin Torvik 6PM Watch Party  GAME 4 8:30PM  Kamloops Music Spotlight: Coalmine’s Basement

TUESDAY MAY 30 9AM–5:30PM Hockey Hall of Fame 2PM–8PM Fan Zone  Eco Day Scavenger Hunt AT RIVERSIDE PARK using Scavify app 4PM Hot Stove FEATURING Canadian para-athlete Greg Stewart & Bryant McBride 6PM Watch Party  GAME 5 8:30PM  Kamloops Music Spotlight: Paul Filek

WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023

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May 25 to June 4 View website for full event details including maps, or visit: chl.ca/memorialcup

Kamloops, BC

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WEDNESDAY MAY 31

Indigenous Day

9AM–5:30PM Hockey Hall of Fame 12PM–1PM Clara Hughes “Open Heart, Open Mind” AT SANDMAN CENTRE 2PM–8PM Fan Zone  Eco Day Scavenger Hunt AT RIVERSIDE PARK using Scavify app 4PM Hot Stove FEATURING Olympian Clara Hughes & NHL player Ethan Bear 6PM Watch Party  GAME 6 8:30PM  Indigenous Day Feature Concert: Juno Award winner DJ Shub

THURSDAY JUNE 1

Western Day

9AM–5:30PM Hockey Hall of Fame 2PM–8PM Fan Zone  Eco Day Scavenger Hunt AT RIVERSIDE PARK using Scavify app TBD Watch Party  TIE-BREAKER GAME Schedule Subject to Change 6PM Country Line Dancing Lessons 7PM Hot Stove FEATURING Ken Hitchcock, Dallas Eakins, Former NHL Players Kirk Maclean & Mark Recchi 8:30PM  Western Day Feature Concert: Dustin Bentall & Gord Bamford

FRIDAY JUNE 2

Eco Day

9AM–5:30PM Hockey Hall of Fame 2PM–8PM Fan Zone 2PM–8PM  Eco Day Sustainability Expo AT RIVERSIDE PARK (Final day of Scavenger Hunt, ending at 5pm) 5PM Hot Stove FEATURING NHL players Scott Niedermayer & Shane Doan 7PM Watch Party  SEMI-FINAL 9:30PM  Kamloops Music Spotlight: Mother Sun

DON'T MISS A BEAT:

Follow the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia Canada online through the social channels: @CHLHockey @blazerhockey @TheWHL @OHLHockey @QMJHL @LHJMQ #MemorialCup #CoupeMemorial

Download the CHL App on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

SATURDAY JUNE 3

Women's Day

8:30AM–12:30PM Farmer’s Market 9AM–5:30PM Hockey Hall of Fame 10AM–5PM Fan Zone 10:30AM–5PM Femsport Challenge AT 4TH AVE & SEYMOUR STREET 4:30PM Hot Stove FEATURING women in hockey Meghan Agosta, Marie-Philip Poulin, Manon Rheaume & Cheryl Pounder 7:30PM  Women’s Day Feature Concert: Blonde Diamond & Dear Rouge

SUNDAY JUNE 4 9AM–1PM Hockey Hall of Fame 10AM–5PM Fan Zone 2:30PM Hot Stove FEATURING Dan MacKenzie, CHL President & Ron Robison, Commissioner of the Western Hockey League 4PM Watch Party  CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL  6:30PM  Kamloops Music Spotlight: Angie Heinze Band & Loops

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: • BIKEVALETSERVICE:May 26–June 2 at the east end of Riverside Park.

• FREE TRANSIT with Game Day ticket or Volunteer Accreditation.

• PARK AND RIDE • DOWNTOWNPARKINGLOTS:SeymourandLansdownearejustadollarperhour, afive-dollarmaximumfortheday,freeonweekendsandweekdaysafter6pm.

• BAGGINGPOLICY INEFFECTFORALL MEMORIALCUP EVENTVENUES: Clutch purseor belt bag no larger than 6.5” x 8.5”;Clear plastic bag no largerthan 12”x12”x6”; Exceptions may be providedfor diaper bags andmedicallynecessary itemsthat cannot fit into a clear bag.

DATE

GAME

May 26

@

TIME 6pm PST

May 27

@

3pm PST 3pm PST

May 28

@

May 29

@

6pm PST

May 30

@

6pm PST

May 31

@

6pm PST

Jun 01

Tie-Breaker (if required)

6pm PST

Jun 02

Semi-Final

7pm PST

Jun 04

Championship Final

4pm PST

B10 WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023

www.kamloopsthisweek.com

LET THEM ENTERTAIN YOU

ALL CONCERTS ARE AT MOLSON CANADIAN HOCKEY HOUSE BEHIND SANDMAN CENTRE IN DOWNTOWN KAMLOOPS. ADMISSION TO ALL BUT THE GLORIOUS SONS CONCERT IS FREE THURSDAY, MAY 25 7:30 P.M. The Glorious Sons are Brett Emmons (vocals, guitar, harmonica, keys), Jay Emmons (guitar, vocals), Chris Koster (guitar, vocals), Adam Paquette (drums, vocals) and Josh Hewson (piano, guitar).

Founded in 2011 in Kingston, the Glorious Sons immediately caused a commotion with their indelible brand of 21st-century rock ‘n’ roll, born of classic elements, but made fresh through the band’s spirited musical slant and rawboned songwriting.

The band proved as

AMANDA DAWN PHOTO

FRIDAY, MAY 26 Matt Stanley and the Decoys were originally formed to support guitarist and vocalist Matt Stanley’s solo EP, The Life & Times, in 2008.

They have since developed into one of Western Canada’s most active independent rock ‘n’ roll bands — The Decoys.

Composed of members Stanley on guitar/vocals, Sean Poissant on drums, Kris Ruston on guitar/keys and Jeff Dineley on Bass, the Kamloops-based band delivers raw and honest tunes influenced by the spirit of Neil Young, Rolling Stones, Tom Petty and Led Zeppelin.

The 2011 debut album.

Stripped, Bare, And On Display, co-produced by Henry Small (Prism, Scrubbaloe Caine, John Entwistle Band), garnered much support from Western Canadian radio for the singles I Know and Modern Disaster. This was followed by the sophomore effort, 2016’s In Our Blood, which saw the singles Don’t Hesitate, The Underdog and the title track gain radio play nationally and receive positive reviews.

With that support and a growing fan base, The Decoys released the explosive single Until The Sun in September 2018, followed by the new EP, Damaged Goods.

Recorded in 2017 in Vancouver and Kelowna, Damaged Goods showcases The Decoys’ continuing evolution and maturity as songwriters, touching on influences ranging from hard rock and alternative to southern and country rock.

The video for Until The Sun was filmed just outside of Winnipeg with James Rewucki of Absurd Machine Films.

SATURDAY, MAY 27 LooPS, consisting of lead singer Kevin Roy and instrumentalist/ vocalist Jon Fennell, are quickly establishing themselves as a top up-and-coming duo in Canada.

Their acoustic-pop debut LP, LooPS, was released in spring 2022. Recorded with B.C. Music Hall of Famer/Juno-nominated producer Doug Cox, LooPS is a throwback to the classic albums, full of upbeat radio friendly jams and soulful story-driven ballads.

As singer/songwriters, Roy and Fennell write and compose all their material.

The two have that rare connection in music where one is the yin to the other’s yang. And it’s that connection — more than even their talent or opportunities — that drives them to achieve their goals and find success.

• Shattered Blue is a high

energy rock band from Kamloops that features Renea Denis (lead vocals), Nicole Clay (vocals), Corey Yamaoka (bass), Jody Paton (keys), Craig Jones (guitar) and Darrell Hanna (drums).

Shattered Blue is a local favourite, as they cover a wide range of songs from the classics (Queen) to more modern selections (The Killers).

The members of the band have performed extensively throughout B.C. and have been a regular at the Blue Grotto and Music in The Park.

They have opened for Honeymoon Suite, Platinum Blonde and Jimmy Bowskill and have performed to enthusiastic crowds at Sun Peaks Resort, Hot Nite in the City, Ribfest, New Year’s parties and many other private and community events.

SUNDAY, MAY 28 Forum is a five-piece rock, country and alternative rock band from Kamloops.

Members are Steve Chicoine (guitar), Cory Evans (drums), Blaine Alexandre (lead vocals), Daryl Ouillette (bass) and Erik Scholefield (guitar).

MONDAY, MAY 29 Coalmine’s Basement is a four-piece jam band with a huge

imaginative as they were motivated, recording and touring near non-stop to drive their music ever further.

The Glorious Sons kicked off 2020 ready to wrap up what had proven an extraordinary first decade with their biggest-ever North American tour. The global pandemic changed all that, but allowed the band a rare chance to finally step back and take a well-deserved breather.

“To be honest, it was a bit of a blessing in disguise for us,” Emmons said. “We’d been touring so heavily, we were really tired and worn down by that point. There

catalogue of folk, classic rock, ‘90s, and original music.

Members are Dave Coalmine, Jordan Danger, Simon Findlay and Ron Corea.

TUESDAY, MAY 30 Paul Filek is a talented singersongwriter from Vancouver.

He has been active in the music industry since 2006 and has released three full-length albums and one EP. Filek gained national recognition as a Top 40 Canadian Idol finalist in 2007, where he placed in the Top 20 for male contestants.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31 DJ Shub has pioneered a growing genre of electronic music. Born Dan General, he is a Mohawk, turtle clan of the Six Nations of the Grand River, located in Ontario.

DJ Shub won the 2022 Juno Award for Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year.

War Club, the album, blends traditional Indigenous drums with modern-day electronic beats and hip hop sensibility. Each song is a master course in technical skill and DJ turntablism, bringing a message of protest and power.

Filled with heavy hitters, the

was a little bit of a sigh of relief, in the sense that we probably wouldn’t have actually allowed ourselves to take a break without something happening beyond our control.”

By pandemic’s end, The Glorious Sons had built up a cache of more than 40 unreleased songs, evincing the band’s immeasurable drive and ever-growing desire to push themselves towards something original and all their own.

Tickets to the show can be purchased by going online to ticketweb.ca and searching “The Glorious Sons.”

album intends to provoke thought and shed light on the many ways artists are fighting back in today’s political climate.

THURSDAY, JUNE 1 Dustin Bentall is what you would call a rustic troubadour, a counter-culture cowboy and a purveyor in the finest of cosmic Canadiana.

For years, he has honed his rebel songwriting craft in every dive bar, club and honky tonk across Canada.

Hailing from Vancouver and spinning songs by Neil Young, The Band, Bob Dylan, John Prine, Tom T. Hall, The Beatles, Wilco and Steve Earle, Bentall has found the heart of that music and placed it under his own landscapes.

Besides penning his own songs, Bentall has co-written with some of Nashville’s finest songwriters, including Mother Mother’s Ryan Guldemond, Vancouver troubadour Cameron Latimer and Ridley Bent.

One of his songs with Bent, Nine Inch Nails — a rollicking tale of love lost and a mix-up of albums as the lovers go their separate ways — was in 2008 named Country Song of the Year with the Independent Music Awards of North America.

WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023

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B11

LET THEM ENTERTAIN YOU THURSDAY, JUNE 1 • Gord Bamford is one of Canada’s most decorated country artists, with 26 Canadian Country Music Association awards and multiple Juno nominations.

A successful Canadian country artist born in Australia, Bamford moved to the open spaces of Lacombe, Alta., as a small child. He was encouraged to pursue music by his mother, who was a country singer. His first taste of success came in 1995, when he won the Nornet Radio Search for the Stars talent competition.

WINE • SPIRITS • DOMESTIC & MICRO BEER • COOLERS • LIQUERS

FRIDAY, JUNE 2 • Mother Sun creates warmth with their music.

Combining deliberate psychpop and rock arrangement with a measured amount of absurdity and experimentation, the four-piece group produces thought-provoking songs that weave melodic, contemplative vocals through colourful tones and

jazz-inspired grooves.

Mother Sun is Jared Doherty (guitar, vocals), Emilio Pagnotta (guitar, vocals), Alex Ward (organ, bass, keys), and Jared Wilman (drums, percussion, vocals).

SATURDAY, JUNE 3 • Secluded away from the busy cityscapes, Drew and Danielle McTaggart — who make up Dear Rouge — took up residence in a lakeside cabin shortly after the release of Phases, their stellar sophomore record.

Phases reflects on the paradox of their success in music while the ones closest to them weathered the storms of life. On Phases, the duo wrote in studios all across North America with some of the most elite names in music.

This time, the pair found themselves spending their days alone together and Spirit began to take form over the winter months.

“I had this epiphany, that we needed to come back to ourselves and the joy and comfort we found in each other when we began writing music together,” Danielle said.

On Spirit, Dear Rouge turned to the ones that had been there all along: their bassist Jordan Kern, longtime collaborator Ryan Worsley (GUS, Mathew V), Broken Social Scene founder Brendan Canning and close friend and drummer Daniel Klenner Spirit is a different avenue of sound for Dear Rouge. Along with raw individual reflections, the duo strove for a more grassroots approach to the instrumentation.

Acoustic guitars from the tracks’ demo stages remain audible. Songs written on piano are kept to their instrument of origin, instead of being replaced by synthesizers.

Rather than opening a computer, Dear Rouge and Thomas D’arcy utilized Hammond organs, strings and glockenspiels to

create atmospheric elements.

It’s all still distinctly Dear Rouge, but more personal, more vulnerable and more intimate.

Spirit is a call to live a freer, more courageous life. It’s a battle cry and the cover art reflects the traces of the fight on Danielle’s face. Spirit is an inspiration to its listeners to be bold and brave, to foster, to create, to encourage and to celebrate ourselves and others.

• Vancouver’s Blonde Diamond brings listeners music the 1960s thought the future would sound like.

Their album, Magnetic Strangers, presents a psychedelic, boundary-tensing work that poses as many questions in its lyrics as it does in its compositions.

SUNDAY, JUNE 4 • The Angie Heinze Band commands a dance floor and will keep it packed and lively all night long with covers of many songs.

• LooPS will also be playing on the final day of the Memorial Cup.

Gord Bamford

LooPS

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B12 WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023

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Many memories of Memorial Cups past TAKE A TRIP BACK IN TIME TO 1984, 1992, 1994 AND 1995 Greg “Spike” Wallace raises the Memorial Cup following the Kamloops Blazers’ 1995 championship at Riverside Coliseum (now known as Sandman Centre). Wallace was the team’s longtime trainer who later moved into a community relations role.

MARTY HASTINGS STAFF REPORTER

sports@kamloopsthisweek.com

T

he Kamloops Blazers are hosting the Memorial Cup for the second time in franchise history.

The first time was a charm as the powerhouse Blazers, the Western Hockey League champions, faced off at Riverside Coliseum (now known as Sandman Centre) against WHL finalist Brandon Wheat Kings, OHL champion Detroit Junior Red Wings and QMJHL champion Hull Olympiques.

In that year’s championship game, Kamloops defeated Detroit 8-2 in the title game to win its third Memorial Cup in four years.

Some of those who took part in that tourney — and in the 1992 and 1994 championships — earlier shared their memories with KTW, which are being shared again here as the Blazers prepare to host the Memorial Cup at Sandman Centre between May 26 and June 4.

Sixteen-year-old rookie goaltender Randy Petruk stole the crease and backstopped the hometown Blazers to victory in 1995.

“I don’t know if you could write the script any better. It was a once-in-a-lifetime, perfect scenario for me, personally,” said Petruk, now 45 and living in Ohio.

“Rod Branch carried us for most of the year and did a great job. I was fortunate to get the ball and ran with it,” Petruk said.

Greg (Spike) Wallace, who joined the Blazers’ organization full-time in 1984 and hung around until 2012 — serving as the club’s longtime trainer who later moved into a community relations role — looked back at the Blazers’ second Cup win, in 1994 in Laval, Que. “It was a hostile barn,” Wallace said of the Laval Titan rink, known as The House of Pain.

“And, oh God — everybody smoked. You couldn’t see across the ice.

“Talk to [Jason] Strudwick. Ask him about the West final, too. Portland had eight 40-goal scorers. Passy [Steve Passmore] stood on his ear.”

Strudwick enjoyed a lengthy NHL career and now works in radio in Edmonton and coaches hockey, while raising three children.

Smoke doesn’t ring a bell, but Strudwick remembers the feistiness.

“It was rough and dirty and I loved it,” said Strudwick, a 6-foot-3, left-shot defenceman from Edmonton.

“It was right up my alley. It was before the Internet. I didn’t know one player on their

team. We were so well coached, it didn’t matter. I credit Don Hay and Bob Brown. We played our way. Everybody else had to figure out how to match up.”

Strudwick is a little foggy on the smoke inside Colisee de Laval, but longtime CFJC broadcaster, the sharply dressed and recently retired Earl Seitz, is not hazy on it whatsoever.

“Despite signs around the rink stating ‘ne pas fumer’ (no smoking), it seemed almost everyone ignored the message, including one of the security persons who I saw standing below one of the signs, puffing away during a game,” Seitz wrote in his Memorial Cup memoirs. “There was often a pall of smoke hanging over the ice.”

Seitz was there when Kamloops knocked off the hosts 5-3 to claim their second national championship.

In the 1992 Cup win in Seattle — the

Blazers’ first title — Wallace said Rob LeLacheur solidified the defence.

LeLacheur, the former blueliner who lives in St. Albert, Alta., and runs a marketing agency, had doubts about the trade to Kamloops from Saskatoon in his 20-year-old season.

“I’ll never forget the first day when Bob Brown was there to greet me with the nicest moment,” Lelacheur said, recalling a meeting that took place in the team office across from Memorial Arena.

“He tried protecting me when I was a 14-year-old and missed getting me by a day.

Six years later, welcome to the Blazers. I was excited, but it took some convincing. Do I want to keep going? I’m very thankful I said yes.”

Lelacheur, whose rearguard teammates included Scott Niedermayer and Darryl Sydor, said head coach Tom Renney’s absence while on national duty at world juniors was a turning

point.

“It was a great time for a bit of that change,” Lelacheur said, noting besting former team Saskatoon in Game 7 of the WHL final felt sweet. “Hayzer had a bit more of a rugged approach to the game. We really embraced that under Don’s leadership. When Tom came back from the world juniors, at the same time, L.A. sent back Darryl Sydor and New Jersey sent back Niedermayer. It was pretty good sailing from that point on.”

And, of course, he remembers where he was for Zac Boyer’s legendary moment, the goal he scored with 14.6 seconds remaining in the third period to dispatch Sault Ste. Marie 5-4 in the national championship title tilt.

“I was on the bench,” said Lelacheur. “I was out the shift before, when Eddy [Patterson] came off puking.”

The 1986 team, the first to carry the Blazers’ name on a league championship run, featured Greg Hawgood, Rob Brown and Greg Evtushevski, among others, A 9-3 loss to Luc Robitaille and Hull Olympiques in Memorial Cup semifinal action in Portland left the Blazers two wins shy of national gold.

Wallace’s tenure in the Tournament Capital did not begin in earnest until after the 19831984 campaign, but he still threw around a name or two worth contacting, including Jim Camazzola.

Those 1984 WHL champion Junior Oilers remain special to the Coquitlam resident “It was crazy in Memorial Arena,” said Camazzola, who works in operations for Metro Vancouver. “It was always packed. The fans were so vibrant. That was good times. Good hockey. Tough hockey. Not like hockey today.

My son was a lacrosse player. We used to go up to Kamloops for tournaments. I took him into the old dressing room. It was really cool.”

Camazzola said he will never forget intimidating head coach Bill LaForge.

“There are lots of things I don’t remember about the Memorial Cup, to be honest with you,” Camazzola said. “I remember having a fight one time my second year. I got into it against Medicine Hat. The guy hit me pretty good. That night I went home. I wasn’t feeling good. I was vomiting and I went to bed. It’s a really good thing the game has changed.”

Ottawa defeated Kamloops 7-2 in the 1984 Memorial Cup semifinal in Kitchener.

WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023

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B13

COME ON OUT AND WELCOME THE CUP The 2023 Arrival of the Cup Ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 25, at 3:30 p.m. at the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Powwow Arbour.

Just a day before the puck drops on the tourney’s first game, the prestigious Memorial Cup will arrive at the arbour, which is located at Highway 5 and East Shuswap Road.

Open to fans of all ages, the event will feature a welcome and prayer by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, followed by opening remarks and introductions of the host Kamloops Blazers, WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds, OHL champion Peterborough Petes and QMJHL champion Quebec Remparts.

The ceremony will also include the unveiling of the Blazers’ theme jersey for the tournament’s opening night.

The event will take place rain or shine.

Good luck, Kamloops is cheering you on.

There is nothing like Blazers hockey to boost the morale in our community.

GO BLAZERS GO!

The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Powwow Arbour, at Highway 5 and East Shuswap Road, will be the site of the Arrival of the Cup Ceremony on Thursday, May 25, at 3:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

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MEMORIAL CUP

RECORDS

Individual Records MOST CUPS WON BY A PLAYER: • 3: Ryan Huska, Kamloops Blazers (1992, 1994, 1995) • 3: Tyson Nash, Kamloops Blazers (1992, 1994, 1995) • 3: Darcy Tucker, Kamloops Blazers (1992, 1994, 1995) • 3: Robert Savard, Cornwall Royals (1980, 1981), Kitchener (1982)

Spitfires (2009, 2010, 2017)

MOST CUPS WON BY A COACH: • 3: Don Hay, Kamloops Blazers (1994, 1995), Vancouver Giants (2007) • 2: Tracy Shaw, Oshawa Generals (1939, 1940) • 2: Joe Primeau, Toronto St. Michael’s (1945, 1947) • 2: Leighton “Hap” Emms, Barrie Flyers (1951, 1953) • 2: Walter “Turk” Broda, Toronto Marlboros (1955, 1956) • 2: Roger Bedard, Montreal Jr. Canadiens (1969, 1970) • 2: George Armstrong, Toronto Marlboros (1973, 1975) • 2: Ernie McLean, New Westminster Bruins (1977, 1978) • 2: Bryan Maxwell, Medicine Hat Tigers (1978), Spokane Chiefs (1991) • 2: Al Ritchie, Regina Pats (1925, 1930) • 2: Bill Hancock, Owen Sound Greys (1927), Newmarket Redmen (1933), shared with Father J. Spratt • 2: Harry Neil, Winnipeg Monarchs (1935, 1937) • 2: Brian Kilrea, Ottawa 67’s (1984, 1999) • 2: Bob Boughner, Windsor Spitfires (2009, 10) • 2: Dale Hunter, London Knights (2005, 2016)

MOST CHAMPIONSHIPS (FRANCHISE): • 5: New Westminster/Kamloops (1977, 1978, 1992, 1994, 1995)

MOST CUPS WON BY MANAGER: • 3: Bob Brown, Kamloops Blazers (1992, 1994, 1995) • 3: Matt Leyden, Oshawa Generals (1939, ’1940, 1944) • 3: Warren Rychel, Windsor

Team Records (since roundrobin format began in 1972) MOST CHAMPIONSHIPS: • 3: Kamloops Blazers (1992, 1994, 1995) • 3: Cornwall Royals (1972, 1980, 1981) • 3: Windsor Spitfires (2009, ’10, ’17)

MOST CONSECUTIVE CHAMPIONSHIPS: • 2: Kamloops Blazers (1994, 1995) • 2: New Westminster Bruins (1977, 1978) • 2: Cornwall Royals (1980, 1981) • 2: Medicine Hat Tigers (1987, 1988) • 2: Windsor Spitfires (2009, 2010) MOST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES: • 9: Peterborough Petes (1972, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1989, 1993, 1996, 2006, 2023) • 7: Kamloops Blazers (1984, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995, 2023) • 7: Quebec Remparts (1973, 1974, 1976, 2003, 2006, 2015, 2023) • 7: Gatineau/Hull Olympique (1986, 1988, 1995, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2008) • 6: Kitchener Rangers (1981, 1982, 1984, 1990, 2003, 2008) • 6: Guelph Storm (1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2014, 2019) • 5: Laval Voisins/Titan(1983, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994) • 5: Oshawa Generals (1983, 1987, 1990, 1997, 2015) • 5: Kelowna Rockets (2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2015) • 5: London Knights (2005, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016) • 5: Brandon Wheat Kings (1979, 1995,1996, 2010, 2016)

MOST APPEARANCES (FRANCHISE): • 11: New Westminster/Kamloops (1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995, 2023) MOST CONSECUTIVE APPEARANCES: • 4: New Westminster Bruins (1975, 1976, 1977, 1978) • 3: Peterborough Petes (1978, 1979, 1980) • 3: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (1991, 1992, 1993) • 3: Kelowna Rockets (2003, 2004, 2005) • 3: London Knights (2012, 2013, 2014) MOST FINAL GAME APPEARANCES: • 6: Peterborough Petes (1972, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1993, 1996) • 6: Kitchener Rangers (1981, 1982, 1984, 1990, 2003, 2008) • 4: New Westminster Bruins (1975, 1976, 1977, 1978) • 4: Oshawa Generals (1983, 1987, 1990, 2015) • 4: Gatineau/Hull Olympiques (1986, 1997, 2003, 2004) • 4: Windsor Spitfires (1988, 2009, 2010, 2017) MOST TOURNAMENT WINS: • 20: Peterborough Petes (8 appearances, 37 games) • 17: Kitchener Rangers (6 appearances, 28 games) • 15: Kamloops Blazers (6 appearances, 25 games) • 15: Windsor Spitfires (4 appearances, 18 games) LONGEST WINNING STREAK: • 12: Kamloops Blazers (second game in 1992 to final in 1995)* • 12: Windsor Spitfires (third game in 2009 to final in 2017)* • 6: Medicine Hat Tigers (second game in 1987 to second game in 1988) * active streak — Canadian Hockey League data

WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023

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B15

A brief history of major junior hockey’s holy grail

T

he Kamloops Blazers are the host squad for the tourney that will crown a Memorial Cup champion for the 103rd time.

The Memorial Cup, one of the most prestigious and coveted trophies in North American sport, has a rich tradition that has shaped the way junior hockey is played in North America.

The trophy was originally known as the OHA Memorial Cup and was donated by the Ontario Hockey Association in March 1919, in remembrance of the soldiers who served for Canada in the First World War. In 2010, the Memorial Cup was rededicated to the memory of all fallen Canadian military personnel.

Initially, the Cup was awarded to

the national junior hockey champions of Canada.

Later, it came to signify junior A hockey supremacy when, in 1934, junior hockey in Canada was divided into A and B classes.

In 1971, when junior A hockey was divided into major junior and tier II junior A, the Memorial Cup was awarded to the higher category and was given to the major junior hockey champions of Canada.

In 1972, a round-robin tournament format replaced the old playdown system to determine the champions.

Since then, the champions of the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League have met each spring in a round-robin series, with

the two top teams playing off in a sudden-death game to determine the champions.

Between 1972 and 1982, the three league champions met at one locale each year.

In 1983, the format changed with the addition of a host club, making the tourney a four-team affair.

That year was also notable for the fact the Memorial Cup became an international trophy as the tournament was held outside Canada for the first time, when the Portland Memorial Coliseum was the host arena.

The hometown Winter Hawks took home the title that year to become the first non-Canadian based team to win the Cup. Portland again hosted the tourna-

ment in 1986 and Seattle played host in 1992.

In 1991, the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL became the second U.S.based team to claim the title. The Chiefs won the title again in 2008 in Kitchener.

Since the tournament adopted its current round-robin format in 1972, Western Hockey League teams have won the title 19 times, Ontario Hockey League teams

have claimed 17 championships and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League teams have hoisted the hardware 13 times.

This year’s tourney features three teams with the most appearances in the Memorial Cup since round-robin play began in 1972 — Peterborough, with nine, and Kamloops and Quebec, with seven each.

— from the CHL

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