The 2024 Memorial Cup was undoubtedly one for the historical past books. The Saginaw Spirit’s storybook win over the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) champion, the London Knights, gave the franchise its first trophy since relocating from North Bay in 2002 in addition to the primary time the trophy ever got here to Michigan. The Spirit additionally turned simply the second American group to win the Cup whereas internet hosting, following the 1983 Portland Winter Hawks, who have been the very first American host in Memorial Cup historical past.
Ever because the host group was launched as a part of the Memorial Cup event in 1983, it’s been each franchise’s dream to take residence the Cup in entrance of their residence followers. Each summer season, junior groups throughout the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) clamour to safe the chance to host, and this summer season alone, three groups have introduced bids for 2026: the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Brandon Wheat Kings, and the Kelowna Rockets. Not solely do they get to showcase their group and metropolis at arguably essentially the most prestigious event in junior hockey, however they additionally get a home-ice benefit, giving the host group that much-needed increase to take residence the coveted trophy.
However, each time the host group wins, there are these calling for a restructure of the competitors. These voices have been particularly loud in 2022 after the host Saint John Sea Canines took residence the highest prize after they have been eradicated within the first spherical of the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Playoffs, main some to name the group an undeserving champion. But it’s a humiliation to the storied event if the host group doesn’t at the least put up a very good combat. As a result of immense prices foisted upon small markets, fewer groups are actually concerned with taking up the accountability. In making ready for the 2025 event, at the least one QMJHL neighborhood advised their group’s proprietor to not apply in any respect.
Nevertheless, having a number group is just not solely good for the event, however good for junior hockey. Not solely does it shine a highlight on smaller markets throughout the CHL however it permits the varied leagues to stay carefully aggressive, stopping one from dominating for too lengthy. However, quite than take my phrase for it, let’s have a look at the historical past of the event and a few of the greatest successes and failures in relation to internet hosting the Memorial Cup.
Historical past of the Memorial Cup
When the primary Memorial Cup was performed again in 1919, solely two groups certified for the competitors. It was pitted as an East vs. West problem, with one of the best group from Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes going through the winner of the Abbott Cup, which was awarded to one of the best group from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. The sequence additionally solely lasted two video games, with the group that scored essentially the most targets declared the winner. No host was chosen; as a substitute, to maintain journey prices decrease, the video games could be performed in both Toronto or Winnipeg.
The primary sequence noticed the College of Toronto Colleges tackle the Regina Patricias, and regardless of dominating the competitors out west, the house group gained simply by a rating of 29-8. Nevertheless, most of the time, enjoying in a impartial location eliminated any home-ice benefit. From 1919 by 1954, solely eight groups gained whereas enjoying of their residence metropolis. Toronto-based groups took residence 5 titles, whereas the Winnipeg Monarchs have been the one Winnipeg-based group to win it in Winnipeg in 1935. The opposite two, the Barrie Flyers and Montreal Junior Canadiens, cut up video games between Toronto and their residence locales, which seemingly was all that was wanted to take residence the win.
Nevertheless, in that time-frame, Ontario groups gained the Memorial Cup sequence 21 instances, with Manitoba coming in second with 9. In the meantime, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Quebec mixed for six. Parity was just about nonexistent, and although the event had been increasing the sequence from two video games as much as a best-of-seven sequence, the outcomes remained the identical. By 1954, with journey prices lowering, it was determined to let one of many competing groups host. Unusually sufficient, the brand new format began with some acquainted faces, with the Pats taking up the OHL’s Toronto Marlboros, this time in Regina. The end result was the identical as in 1919, with the Marlboros profitable simply 4 video games to 1, however that sequence turned out to be an outlier; 12 of the subsequent 16 tournaments went to the host group.
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Regardless of the change, Ontario nonetheless dominated the Memorial Cup, with the province taking residence all however seven of the subsequent 16 competitions. Thus, one other change was wanted, and with the newly-formed Western Canada Hockey League, later shortened to the Western Hockey League (WHL), the sequence turned a three-team event in 1972 with the highest two groups enjoying a single winner-take-all sport for the Cup. The video games additionally shifted again to a impartial location however with an asterisk – the host would rotate between the three competing leagues. On this format, solely three “hosts” gained the Cup over the subsequent decade: the Pats gained it in Calgary in 1974, the Marlboros gained it in Kitchener in 1975, and the New Westminster Bruins took it residence in 1977 in Vancouver. Nevertheless, the host league was typically within the Closing, with them sitting out of the final sport simply 3 times.
The host could not have had the identical dominant benefit as earlier than, however the competitors was way more even. Ontario nonetheless got here out on prime over the subsequent 11 tournaments, profitable 5, however the WHL and QMJHL weren’t far behind with three wins apiece. However another change befell in 1983 when a fourth pre-determined host group was added. The WHL selected to bestow that honour on the Portland Winter Hawks, who had gained the league title in 1981-82 and gone to the Memorial Cup event in Hull, Quebec however completed third. Now a extra skilled group, they didn’t waste their second likelihood, shedding only one sport to an 8-3 victory over the Oshawa Generals to assert their first Memorial Cup in franchise historical past.
Memorial Cup Hosts Enhance Parity
It’s been 40 tournaments because the final rule change and it doesn’t look like it is going to be restructured any time quickly. That’s as a result of, for the primary time because the Memorial Cup was launched, no league has run away with the title. The WHL at the moment sits within the lead with 15 wins, adopted carefully by the OHL’s 13 wins and the QMJHL’s 11, and regardless of sitting third, they’re the one league that’s strung collectively four-consecutive wins. The rationale, it appears, that issues have remained so balanced for therefore lengthy is the inclusion of the host, which inspires one group to bulk up their roster to make sure they placed on a very good present.
When the Spirit have been chosen as host, they have been in a very good place in 2022 to be a prime group in two years. They’d simply chosen Michael Misa first general within the OHL Precedence Draft and added defenceman Zayne Parekh 18 picks later, each of whom have been anticipated to be in pivotal roles with the group by 2023-24, however they weren’t going to depart something to likelihood. On condition that star Pavel Mintyukov simply went tenth general within the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, it appeared unlikely he would stay within the OHL for 2 extra seasons, so he was shipped off to the Ottawa 67’s for 9 picks, whereas captain Josh Bloom was despatched packing to the North Bay Battalion for 2 prospects and 5 extra picks.
Stripping down the roster a season earlier than internet hosting the Memorial Cup appears dangerous, however the Spirit have been gearing up for some massive strikes. Forward of the 2023 Commerce Deadline, they despatched 4 picks to the Barrie Colts for Hunter Haight, then in 2023-24, they acquired Jorian Donovan, Rodwin Dionicio, Owen Beck, Alex Christopoulos, Ethan Hay, Aidan Fort, and Nolan LaLonde for a complete of twenty-two picks and three prospects. In addition they re-signed Bloom after he was re-assigned by the Vancouver Canucks. These strikes proved essential in Saginaw’s success, with seven of their top-10 scorers on the Memorial Cup acquired after being named hosts. Parekh, Misa, and Joey Willis have been massive performers through the common season, however the massive stars have been put entrance and centre when it got here time for the large video games.
Whereas promoting off your future may not look like a very good transfer, it helps unfold the expertise across the league. Many of the gamers the Spirit added have been 19 and 20-year-olds and excessive NHL picks, which means they’d solely be round for one more season or two. That doesn’t assist a group close to the underside of the standings, so, when a group just like the Spirit come calling after their stars, they will demand excessive costs figuring out that they’ll probably be met to rapidly rebuild. The Spirit can capitalize on the primes of their stars and add expertise round them, whereas groups just like the Peterborough Petes and Windsor Spitfires get an opportunity so as to add loads of future items. So, not solely does that assist even the enjoying discipline within the Memorial Cup, however it additionally helps every league keep wholesome and keep away from dynasties and perennial bottom-dwellers.
Hosts Have a Clear Aim to Goal For
The Spirit are removed from the primary group to load up in preparation for the Memorial Cup. Even again in 1983, the Winter Hawks added goalie Mike Vernon only for the event, who was named the highest goaltender following the historic win. But it surely’s not the one facet that goes into constructing a profitable group. When the Moose Jaw Warriors head coach Mark O’Leary was requested what wanted to be achieved to get his group prepared, he responded, “I believe our group was constructed for this when you have a look at it over the course of the season, and even during the last three years, we play our greatest hockey in opposition to the groups which are one of the best.” Having a goal helps focus a group’s aim, and since bids are secured two years earlier than the event, hosts are mentally ready for the elevated competitors.
Simply have a look at the 2018 Pats, who secured the bid to host the historic One centesimal-year celebration, ended the 2017-18 WHL season with one of many highest win totals within the league, however have been up in opposition to the dominant Swift Present Broncos within the first spherical and fell in seven video games. Nevertheless, as soon as the Memorial Cup rolled round, they introduced their A-game, beating the Broncos and the Hamilton Bulldogs twice to safe a spot within the Closing in opposition to the QMJHL’s Acadie-Bathurst Titan, the place they fell 3-0. It was a comparable run for the 2017 Windsor Spitfires, who gained all of it after being eradicated within the first spherical of the OHL playoffs.
But it surely’s not simply within the Memorial Cup that hosts get a lift. Since 1983, seven host groups additionally gained their league championship, permitting the runner-up to compete because the fourth group. All seven groups made it to the Memorial Cup Closing and three claimed the Memorial Cup, with the latest being the 2005 Knights. Eight extra hosts entered the event as runners-up, and of these, three overcame the percentages and took residence the Cup, whereas just one missed the Closing totally.
Hosts that Struggled to Compete
There’s a better-than-average likelihood that the host will win the Memorial Cup. With 12 wins since 1983, they’ve a 30% win share, which is barely increased than the anticipated 25% in a four-team event. However not each host thrives beneath the strain.
In 1988, the Chicoutimi Sanguenees have been making ready to host the event, however within the QMJHL Playoffs, they suffered a 4-2 first-round upset by the hands of the Shawinigan Cataractes. Regardless of ending fourth general, they have been stripped of the suitable to ship a group to the event, with the rummers-up Drummondville Voltigeurs taking their place as “host.” Two years later, the Hamilton Dukes additionally misplaced out on sending a group whereas enjoying host after ending lifeless final within the OHL standings, as did the Beauport Harfangs, who have been set to host in 1991 however completed third final within the QMJHL. Each have been changed with runners-up.
Since then, no group has been changed as host, though there have been instances when it might have been thought of. In 2001, the Pats completed fifth within the WHL and have been eradicated within the first spherical, however nonetheless managed to beat the Purple Deer Rebels, the eventual champions, within the ultimate round-robin sport and completed third following an additional time loss to the Val-d’Or Foreurs. 2002’s hosts, the Guelph Storm, have been even worse, ending eighth within the OHL and ending fourth within the Memorial Cup with only one win. However one of many worst showings was from the Saskatoon Blades in 2013. They have been swept within the opening spherical of the WHL playoffs after which completed final on the Memorial Cup with only one win, which got here in opposition to Nathan MacKinnon’s Halifax Mooseheads, who went on to win their first trophy.
Fortunately, these are uncommon occurrences. 24 of the 40 hosts have made it to the Memorial Cup Closing, and since 2017, the event’s host completed decrease than second simply as soon as, that being the 2023 Kamloops Blazers. The event host could not have earned the suitable to compete on the Memorial Cup within the conventional sense, however they definitely aren’t undeserving champions. Selecting a Memorial Cup host permits the smaller markets to stay aggressive in opposition to these in greater, richer centres, and when the smaller groups get an opportunity, everybody wins.