Gatineau Excluded from the 2028 Memorial Cup Bid Process

Drazen Seslija

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) has decided not to include Gatineau's bid in the selection process to host the 2028 Memorial Cup, a decision that has disappointed many in the region's hockey community and elected officials.

The Memorial Cup, which crowns the Canadian junior hockey champion each year, is one of the most prestigious sporting events in the country. In addition to bringing together the best teams from the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and the Western Hockey League (WHL), the tournament generates significant economic benefits and offers national exposure to the host city. City councillor Luc Chénier, representing the Versant district, described the decision as disappointing for Gatineau.

According to him, hosting the Memorial Cup represents a unique opportunity to showcase a city, both in terms of sports and the economy. "It's an event that brings a lot of visibility to a city when it hosts the Memorial Cup," he emphasized.

Despite this disappointment, Chénier points out that the Gatineau Olympiques can still qualify for the prestigious tournament by winning their championship and earning points on the ice.

The councillor also remains optimistic about future opportunities to submit a bid. He believes that Gatineau now has the necessary infrastructure to host an event of this magnitude, particularly thanks to the Slush Puppie Centre, inaugurated in 2021, which meets the standards of major junior hockey competitions.

He therefore hopes that the city can once again position itself among the favourites when the time comes to select the host city for the 2031 edition.