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.

 

[carjackmalone]

Is Kelowna arena expandable to 10.000

I heard someone mention on an old post about it having a unique Roof to be able to lift and add seats permanently

 

[jetsmooseice]

Is Kelowna arena expandable to 10.000

I heard someone mention on an old post about it having a unique Roof to be able to lift and add seats permanently

There is nothing about it that looks easily expandable relative to other arenas.

 

[carjackmalone]

I believe it’s an upper deck behind each end of the ice

 

[hockeykid87]

Bruce Hamilton is gonna be working the phones to trade off all of his top guys to try and build for one season. Outside of Gojsic and Iginla, who may not even be there, the 2025-26 Rockets are looking rather bleak.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Bruce Hamilton is gonna be working the phones to trade off all of his top guys to try and build for one season. Outside of Gojsic and Iginla, who may not even be there, the 2025-26 Rockets are looking rather bleak.

I've never seen a team less suited timing wise, at least among whl teams, to be chosen to host. It's going to be a wild ride to watch them try and turn a team that should be contending this year and rebuilding next year, into a worthwhile mem. cup team next year. Buckle up.
Maybe Hamilton can smooth talk the nhl GM's into sending back Cristall and Price as OA's next year. Seems really unlikely though.

 

[hockeykid87]

I've never seen a team less suited timing wise, at least among whl teams, to be chosen to host. It's going to be a wild ride to watch them try and turn a team that should be contending this year and rebuilding next year, into a worthwhile mem. cup team next year. Buckle up.
Maybe Hamilton can smooth talk the nhl GM's into sending back Cristall and Price as OA's next year. Seems really unlikely though.

I would say there is an absolute zero per cent chance Cristall is back. He nearly made the NHL as a 19 year old, and if the capitals could have sent him to the AHL this year, I’m sure they would have.

Iginla is a different story. Does Utah want to bring him up at 19 or do they want him to be THE guy on the Memorial Cup hosts? I’d lean more toward the latter. Unless he explodes in the second half a forces himself into that team next season.