Rockets’ Hamilton extended 2 more years as WHL’s chairman
The Western Hockey League wrapped up its annual general meeting Wednesday in Vancouver, highlighted by the confirmation of four host bids for the 2020 Memorial Cup, as well as Bruce Hamilton’s re-election as chairman of the board of governors for a new two-year term.
Hamilton — the owner, governor, president and general manager of the Kelowna Rockets — has been the active chairman since 2008 and is the longest-serving chairman in WHL history.
Hamilton previously served as chairman from 1998 to 2004.
Bobby Brett of the Spokane Chiefs (U.S. Division) and Brent Sutter of the Red Deer Rebels (Central Division) were elected to the executive committee of the WHL board of governors. Brett and Sutter join Ron Toigo of the Vancouver Giants (B.C. Division) and Gord Broda of the Prince Albert Raiders (East Division) on the executive committee.
WHL Commissioner Ron Robison, who will be entering his 19th season at the helm, is an ex-officio member of the executive committee.
Meanwhile, the Rockets are one of the four clubs vying for the right to host the Memorial Cup when it returns to Western Canada in May 2020.
Kelowna’s bid is competing against the Kamloops Blazers, Lethbridge Hurricanes and Victoria Royals.
Kelowna and Kamloops had previously announced their respective intentions to bid for the prestigious national major junior championship tournament, while Lethbridge and Victoria officially joined the mix at the AGM.
On Nov. 9, 2017, the Blazers unveiled their initial plans to challenge for hosting rights for the 102nd Memorial Cup. The 2020 Memorial Cup will mark the 25-year anniversary since the Blazers last hosted the event in 1995 — a tournament that Kamloops went on to win on home ice. The Blazers have won the Memorial Cup on three occasions (1992, 1994 and 1995). Kamloops and the Sandman Centre — home of the Blazers — has hosted a number of prestigious, world-class events, including the IIHF Women’s World Hockey Championship, Hockey Canada’s Four Nations Cup, World Curling Championships, the Tim Horton’s Brier, the Canada Cup of Curling, World Junior Summer Showcase and the upcoming 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series.
On April 19, the Rockets announced their bid, having previously hosted the 2004 Memorial Cup, which Kelowna also won on home ice at Prospera Place. The Rockets have made five appearances in the Memorial Cup (2003, 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2015).
Kelowna and Prospera Place — home of the Rockets — has also hosted the IIHF World Junior Championship, Canadian Men’s Olympic Orientation Camp, the 2009 CHL Canada Russia Series, as well as the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
Lethbridge has appeared in two previous Memorial Cups — the Lethbridge Broncos in Portland in 1983 and the Lethbridge Hurricanes in Hull, Que., in 1997.
Lethbridge and the Enmax Centre — home of the Hurricanes — has hosted the 2013 CIBC Canada Russia Series, Women’s World Curling Championships, Professional Bull Riders tour events, Canada Winter Games, Alberta Summer Games, and a IIHF World Junior Championship exhibition game. Lethbridge will also host the 2019 World Curling Championship and the 2019 U SPORTS University Cup.
Although the current Victoria Royals franchise has not appeared in a Memorial Cup, the Victoria Cougars participated in the Memorial Cup in 1981.
Victoria and the Save-on-Foods Memorial Arena — home of the Royals — has hosted the Men’s World Curling Championships, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, WWE wrestling, the 2009 and 2012 CHL Canada Russia Series, and Canadian Figure Skating Championships. Victoria will slated to co-host the 2019 World Junior Championship, with Vancouver.