Kamloops to host Canadian Hockey League Memorial Cup in 2023

The cup is coming back to Kamloops.

The city in British Columbia's Interior has been chosen to host the Canadian Hockey League's (CHL) national championship tournament, also known as the Memorial Cup, in 2023.

The CHL announced the decision Friday. It will be the first time the tournament has beenplayed in KamloopsBlazers' territory since 1995. It was also the last time the local team wonCanadian junior hockey's prestigious top prize.

The cup has been cancelled for the last two years because of COVID-19. It is back again from June 20-29, 2022, inSaint John, N.B. and then will come west next seasonto the city known asCanada's tournament capital.

"We are very excited to bring back the Memorial Cup to Kamloops after an almost 30-year hiatus,'' CHL President Dan MacKenzie said in a statement.

"The Blazers and the City of Kamloops put together a first-class bid and will be outstanding hosts.''

The Kamloops Blazers area member of the Western Hockey League (WHL).The WHLand the Ontario and Quebec Junior Leagues make up the Canadian Hockey League the highest level of junior hockey in the country.

In a video posted to his Twitter account,Kamloops Mayor Ken Christiansaid that city council unanimously approved an investment of $940,000 in the Sandman Centre arena where the tournament will be held.

That money, he said, comes from grants and not the taxpayer and will be used to upgrade the arena so the CHL can broadcast the 2023 tournament to anational audience.

The mayor said the event will be an economic boon to the cityafterCOVID compromised consecutive tourism seasons.

"It supports business, it supports our youth, and it supports hockey in Kamloops," said Christian. "This is our time."

Battle of the west

The Blazers arecurrently battling the Seattle Thunderbirds in theWestern Conference final and, for local fans, it's been a nail-biting series. Both Games 4and 5went into overtime and, on Sunday, the Thunderbirds forced a Game 7 after besting Kamloops by one goal.

The best of the west will now face off in the Blazers' barn Tuesday night. It will be the first time Kamloops has played in a Game 7 at home since 1994,when the local team triumphedover Saskatoon in the WHL final.

"It should be an electric night at the Sandman Centre," saidTim O'Donovan, the Blazers' assistant general manager, speaking Monday on Daybreak South.

There were already crowdsat the box office Monday morning as Kamloopslocals lined up for a chance to catch Game 7 action Tuesday.

O'Donovan hinted that, next year, the Blazers could be back again as cup contenders because at least eight out of 10 of the team's top scorers will still be on the roster.

Leading the pack is team captain, 19-year-old Logan Stankoven, who has put away multiplehat tricksduring post-season play and was drafted in 2021 to the Dallas Stars.

It remains to be seen whetherStankovenwill stayaBlazer or be called up to the pros before2023.

Game 7 of the WHL Western Conference Championship Series goesTuesday, May 31 at 7p.m. at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops. The winner takes onthe Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL Championship Series beginning Friday in Edmonton.