SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Efforts are underway to bring the Canadian junior A hockey championship back to Summerside.
A media release explains the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) has endorsed the City of Summerside and Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals to bid for the 2023 Centennial Cup.
“The Centennial Cup is one of the most sought-after national events in the country and our city has been blessed to successfully host it on three occasions,” commented Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart. “This event carries close to $3 million in economic activity during the shoulder season, which is fantastic for the local tourism sector.”
Should Summerside be successful in garnering the event for 2023, it would mark the fourth time the event has been awarded to the city and the Western Capitals – more than any other junior A franchise in Canada. Summerside previously hosted the Centennial Cup in 1989, the Royal Bank Cup in 1997 and the RBC Cup in 2013.
Attendance records
The 2013 tournament broke two attendance records that still stand today while the Western Capitals fell just short of a national championship, losing to the Brooks Bandits in the final.
“In 2013, we welcomed the nation to Summerside hosting our third Centennial Cup, which has since been deemed one of the most successful in the event’s storied history,” mentioned JP Desrosiers, director of community services. "We want an opportunity to do it again, however, this time bring a national championship back to our city.”
Need to Know
The 2023 Centennial Cup is a Hockey Canada-sanctioned event that is scheduled to be held between the dates of May 13 to 21.
It features a tournament format, including a single round-robin schedule, followed by two semifinal games and a championship game for a total of 13 games.
The event is comprised of five teams – one representative from the four regions across Canada and a host team.
