Photo by Candice Ward/CHL
The Memorial Cup trophy is officially in Kamloops.
The trophy was unveiled with a military escort during the opening ceremonies at the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Powwow Arbour Thursday afternoon.
“We are so excited to be here and we look forward to the competition on the ice, as well as participating in all the exciting events that accompany the Memorial Cup,” Tk’emlúps Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir said.
“I wanted to send a special thank you to KIA for presenting and bringing back the Memorial Cup Tournament to Kamloops and partnering with us to host the community at today’s opening ceremonies which I am so excited to be part of. I also just wanted to acknowledge [Kamloops] Mayor Reid Hamer Jackson; MLAs Todd Stone and Peter Milobar; and MP Frank Caputo.”
“And of course, our very own Kamloops Blazers,” she added.
It was an honour to have Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Powwow Arbour host today’s Arrival of the #MemorialCup presented by @KiaCanada!
📸 gallery: https://t.co/fvu9VHjvGS pic.twitter.com/ifOvhB2A7v
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 26, 2023
Thursday’s ceremony also featured the official introductions of the Blazers, the WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds, OHL champion Peterborough Petes, and QMJHL champion Quebec Remparts.
“We extend a huge and very warm welcome to all the coaches, the families, and the friends that are joining us here today to celebrate the opening of this tournament,” Casimir said.
“It is truly a great place to acknowledge the return of this event to Kamloops in almost 30 years. It is a huge milestone that we are so proud to be a part of.”
The host @Blazerhockey have officially arrived at the 2023 #MemorialCup presented by @KiaCanada! pic.twitter.com/72oib8h4cz
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 25, 2023
CHL President Dan MacKenzie called it an honour to be able to host the 103rd edition of the tournament in the Tournament Capital of Canada. It is the second time that Kamloops is hosting the event, having previously done so in 1995.
“I’m truly touched by the warm welcome we’ve received by the community here in Kamloops and I’m especially grateful to Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc for greeting us on their ancestral lands on this special occasion,” MacKenzie said. “I want to congratulate all the players, coaches support staff, and business staff from the Seattle Thunderbirds, Peterborough Petes, Quebec Remparts, and the hometown Kamloops Blazers for qualifying for this year’s tournament.
“You’ve all enjoyed truly unforgettable moments this season, creating memories that you will no doubt carry with you for the rest of your lives. This year’s Memorial Cup should only provide you with an opportunity to generate more of those kinds of moments.”
The ceremony also featured the unveiling of the special commemorative jerseys that the Blazers will wear during their tournament opener Friday night.
“There’s a commemorative pin which represents the Legion Poppy on the centre of a dreamcatcher. Their coupling acknowledging the efforts and sacrifices of veterans from all of our Indigenous communities,” Blazers President, Norm Daley said.
“This new pin is more inclusive of all Indigenous groups, Metis, First Nations, and Inuit.”
A #MemorialCup tradition.
As hosts, @blazerhockey will wear this commemorative jersey in their tournament opener Friday night! pic.twitter.com/L66Nd2MhGG
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 26, 2023
The jerseys will be auctioned off with the proceeds going towards the Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Trust Fund. The fund supports veteran programs across Canada, and helps veterans in need and their families.
This opening ceremonies then lead into tonight’s Glorious Sons kick-off concert, which gets underway at 7:30 p.m. It will be at the Molson Canadian Hockey House, an entertainment zone that will set up outside Sandman Centre for the duration of the tournament.
“Put on your party hats. Our host organizing committee has been working long hours for over the last few months to plan special events for our community,” Memorial Cup Host Organizing Committee chair Yves Lacasse said.
“We believe that this is going to be the best Memorial Cup ever.”
Taking in the Kamloops scenery 🏆#MemorialCup pic.twitter.com/HBcvBAI0cA
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 24, 2023
The action on the ice will get underway Friday night when the Blazers host the Remparts. Puck drop from Sandman Centre is 6 p.m. Each game of the tournament will be broadcast on RadioNL with extended pre-game shows ahead of all Blazers’ games.
You can find a schedule of events and more of RadioNL’s coverage of the 2023 Memorial Cup here.
– With files from Jon Keen
