WHL Kelowna to host 2026 Memorial Cup

[LadyStanley]

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[Takuto Maruki]

Why? Legitimately?

The arena's a dump, and they've already held it in Kamloops recently. Even if this is a makeup for losing it during the COVID year...there's been enough fatigue WRT the Memorial Cup in the Interior.

 

[GKJ]

Wasn’t Medicine Hat the favorite? Because they have one of the top prospects in next years draft, and they want him to stay there instead of going to college?

 

[JMCx4]

Why? Legitimately?

The arena's a dump, and they've already held it in Kamloops recently. Even if this is a makeup for losing it during the COVID year...there's been enough fatigue WRT the Memorial Cup in the Interior.

According to the Prospera Place release ...

This past spring, the City of Kelowna committed to making several upgrades to Prospera Place, including the installation of a brand-new scoreboard, improved lighting and sound systems, a dedicated press box, and more to help bolster the experience of fans and visitors traveling to the home arena of the Kelowna Rockets.

 

[Bubbles]

Wasn’t Medicine Hat the favorite? Because they have one of the top prospects in next years draft, and they want him to stay there instead of going to college?

It would have made sense to have it there. And no, there's really no chance McKenna's going to college.

Kelowna is a weird choice because by the time 2026 rolls around, they are on the downcycle of their run. Iginla/Price/Cristall won't be on the team by then.

 

[jetsmooseice]

I think Kelowna is a reasonable choice but at the same time I find it amazing that such longstanding WHL cities as Lethbridge and Medicine Hat have never hosted it before. Especially MH, given that they have a team on a major upswing and a pretty impressive, still somewhat new arena to host the event in.