memorial cup legacy scholarship program - 21 June 2023

Story by Steve Erickson

The Canadian Hockey League working with the Kamloops Blazers and the 2023 Memorial Cup Host Organizing Committee raised over $180,000 that will be going to several exceptional causes.

The funding raised during the 2023 Memorial Cup saw $133,390 during the 2023 in-arena  50/50 program that filters down to $15,000 allocated to KidSport Canada, $68,390 to the Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division, and $50,000 to the Memorial Cup Legacy Scholarship Program.

It should be known that this came from the CHL’s commitment to academic excellence and its vision of creating a lasting legacy in communities that host the Memorial Cup. 

The  Memorial Cup Legacy Scholarship Program was established last year in Saint John, N.B., to give support to students from Memorial Cup host communities in pursuit of post-secondary education.

Over the next five years, thanks to the $50,000 raised through the 2023 Memorial Cup 50/50 program, two deserving students from Kamloops will annually be selected to receive academic scholarships valued at up to $5,000.

Interested applicants from both Saint John and Kamloops who wish to apply for the next round of Memorial Cup scholarships can do so online when the application process begins this September.

Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL mentioned “As we saw again in Kamloops, the Memorial Cup is truly a catalyst for positive change within a host community and serves as an important platform to support a number of worthy causes.”  He continued “In addition to our continued efforts to aid Canadian veteran programs and promote positive mental health through the CMHA, the CHL is proud to be carrying on its Memorial Cup Legacy Scholarship Program in Kamloops, which no doubt will be one of many legacies produced from the 2023 Memorial Cup.”

The other funds raised at the 2023 Memorial Cup came thanks to an event and a pair of jersey auctions that the CHL held during the tournament’s 11-day run. 

The first of these auctions were of game-worn jerseys from players who represented Team Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships (WJHC). 

In total, over $38,500 was raised through this auction to aid the work of the CMHA’s Talk Today program, with Regina Pats forward and top NHL prospect Connor Bedard’s jersey garnering a final bid of $18,446.

Between the auction of the WJHC jerseys and the Memorial Cup 50/50 program, over $106,000 raised during the 2023 Memorial Cup is being donated to the CMHA to promote positive mental health and support the work of its Talk Today program across Canada. 

One of the most comprehensive mental health programs we are hearing about surrounds amateur sports in Canada which provides support to players and staff, and raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. 

While we strongly support the above initiative we and others I am in conversation with are wondering why there is no mentin of support for officials as well as on-ice officials who regularly work the league.

It should be noted that since the beginning there have been 4,810 players, coaches, billet parents and staff have participated in Talk Today across the CHL.

 Jonny Morris, CEO of the CMHA – BC Division mentions “We’re grateful for the Canadian Hockey League’s generous donation and commitment to supporting mental health.” 

He continues “Through our Talk Today partnership with the CHL and its member leagues, we’re working to end the stigma around mental health both on and off the ice across Canada.”

Lastly, between the auction of the game-worn commemorative jerseys that the Kamloops Blazers wore during the tournament’s opening night and the 2023 Memorial Cup Fan Breakfast, more than $11,000 was collectively raised for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52. 

In addition funds also went to the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command Poppy Trust Funds which funds national veteran programs which support veterans and their families in need. 

Originally known as the OHA Memorial Cup and donated by the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) in March 1919, the Memorial Cup trophy was created in remembrance of the many 

soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice for Canada in the First World War. 

The trophy was later rededicated in 2010 to the memory of all fallen Canadian Military Personnel, and the Memorial Cup tournament continues to this day to honour this meaningful connection that it has to the military.

Story by Steve Erickson

The topic of conversation around the hockey circles continues to grow that involves the BCHL pulling out of Hockey Canada with many wondering if this helps or hinders BC born players.

Realistically speaking and truth be known we really won’t know the full impact of this for a couple of seasons and while it seems positive there are still many unanswered questions.

We’ll continue to monitor this ongoing soap opera over the next months and also wonder if there is any rumor of Junior B leagues having their status changed to junior A.

Here is the most recent press release from the BCHL and all we ask is for you to make your own judgment.

Full Press Release:

With the BC Hockey League becoming an independent league as of June 1, the league will operate under different regulations when it comes to team rosters. 

Many of the previous rules will remain the same, but others will change as part of the BCHL’s goal to continue growing into a world-class development league for college-tracking athletes.

BCHL Commissioner Steven Cocker mentioned “During this process, it has always been extremely important to us to maintain our connection with young athletes in British Columbia and to continue prioritizing their development.”

He continues “We committed to keeping the same roster minimums around B.C. based players and to strengthen the definition of who qualifies as a homegrown player. We are excited to open up our rosters to 16 and 17-year-olds from out of province, as well as international athletes, but the BCHL will always remain committed to B.C. born and raised players.”

“While it is unfortunate that policies exist that restrict Canadian athletes from affiliating with leagues that benefit them in their development, we are confident that expanded rosters mimicking that of the NCAA, in addition to the independent affiliate pool, will give our teams sufficient access to players.”

With the new league year beginning tomorrow, the BCHL will operate under the following regulations.

Roster Rules

• Teams have a maximum of 25 active roster spots, plus an additional card if a team chooses to have a third goaltender.
• A minimum of five players from B.C. on the 17 Canadian teams
  • This remains the same as in previous seasons and is similar to other leagues across the country.
  • B.C. players will include athletes born in the province as well as those who have developed in the B.C. youth system for at least three of the past five years.
  • Players from outside the province who change residency during or prior to the BCHL season will no longer be considered B.C. players. This was a Hockey Canada and BC Hockey regulation that proved to be a barrier for athletes who didn’t have the ability to uproot their families.
• U.S.-based teams will continue to need a minimum of five players from their branch (Washington State, Arizona, California and Colorado).
• Canadian-based teams will require a minimum of 13 players from Canada.
• U.S.-based teams will require a minimum of 13 players from the USA.
• A maximum of two players from outside of North America is permitted per team.
  • Russian and Belarussian players are temporarily not allowed due to the political situation in Russia.
• Teams can dress a maximum of 19 players and two goalies for a game.
• A maximum of six 20-year-olds on a roster are permitted at one time in 2023-24, which remains unchanged from previous years.
• A minimum of three players under the age of 18 are required for each team, which is an increase from two in previous years.
• A minimum of four rookies are required on a roster, which remains unchanged from previous years.
• A maximum of two former CHL players of any age are permitted on a roster. Ex-CHL players rostered to BCHL rosters as of Jan. 10. 2023 are to be grandfathered in.
• A maximum of eight affiliate registrations are permitted per team. Affiliates may come from any independent minor/youth/high school league across North America.
  • BC Hockey has dictated that CSSHL, BCEHL and Junior B can no longer affiliate with BCHL as an independent league

Important Dates

• June 1, 2023: Registration opens for the 2023-24 season.
• Sep. 1, 2023: Training camps open across the BCHL.
• Sep. 30, 2023: A 24-hour roster freeze is in effect to avoid athletes being negatively affected by Hockey Canada’s rule on players who choose to participate in independent leagues. Information will be communicated to players when they sign their Letter of Intent.
• Feb. 10, 2024: BCHL transfer deadline
• Mar. 1, 2024: BCHL signing deadline