By Derek Harper
The Kelowna Rockets have officially submitted for a do over Memorial Cup bid in 2026. This comes after being awarded the 2020 Memorial Cup. However, the Rockets couldn’t host it due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the 2020 cancelation, Kelowna hosted the 2004 Memorial Cup. Kelowna would emerge victorious in clinching the Memorial Cup in 2004 as the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit did this past season on their home ice. The Rockets have attempted to recapture the Memorial Cup after the winning the WHL since then, but have been unsuccessful.
The cancelation lasted through the 2021 season as well as the OHL lost out on its opportunity to host. Things got back to normal in 2022 when the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs hosted and won the Memorial Cup. It’ll be back in the QMJHL next season as the Rimouski Oceanic host before it returns to the WHL in 2026.
“We are very excited to submit the Kelowna Rockets organization as a host for the 2026 Memorial Cup, along with the tremendous support and commitment from the City of Kelowna as our partner in this bid,” Bruce Hamilton, Rockets President and General Manager said.
Other Canadian WHL markets that may submit a bid include Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, Alberta along with Brandon, Manitoba. Markets in the US Division that are expected to submit applications to host such as Seattle and Spokane, Washington and Portland, Oregon.
Seattle, Spokane and Portland have all hosted before, but it’s been decades since then. Portland hosted in 1983 and 1986 with Seattle hosting in 1992 and Spokane in 1998. As Saginaw did this past season, Portland won the Memorial Cup when they hosted it in 1983. Portland also when Spokane hosted in 1998. Since then, Portland reached the Memorial Cup Final in 2013, falling short to the Halifax Mooseheads when the Saskatoon Blades hosted.
Seattle has reached the Memorial Cup before but has been unable to attain the trophy in their attempts so far. Spokane won the Memorial Cup in 1991 when Quebec City hosted.
One would think with the circumstances Kelowna was dealt in 2020, that they’ll be the favorite to host in 2026, but those other markets could make a very good case.
With how competitive the WHL has been lately and how teams build up their roster to host the Memorial Cup, the next few seasons should be especially exciting.
Similar to what almost happened this past season with Saginaw coming up just short in the OHL Playoffs and then winning the Memorial Cup as the host could easily happen in 2026.
The Moose Jaw Warriors, Swift Current Broncos, Prince George Cougars and Portland Winterhawks could all make more deep playoff runs in the next few seasons. With the imminent signing of exceptional status player Landon DuPont to the Silvertips, they could be a threat very soon as well after falling short to Portland in the second this past season.
With trades and teams on the rise, there could be surprises as teams improve over the course of the next few seasons. All things considered, the WHL could be ultra-competitive when it hosts the Memorial Cup again in 2026.
Stephen Heisler 