By Brian Blom
When the Canadian Hockey League awarded the Memorial Cup to the city of Guelph many junior hockey junkies’ jaws hit the floor.
Particularly, the decision was met with criticism here in the nation’s capital.
Ottawa 67’s management, whose bid promised stunning financial return and sellout crowds in an arena that is twice the size of any other in the Ontario Hockey League, scoffed at some of the reasons Guelph was awarded the tournament.
“I think it’s great Guelph has 175 years of tradition, but I don’t remember that being part of the criteria,” complained 67’s owner Jeff Hunt to the Ottawa Sun after the decision was made public in late January. “When you’re talking about a show of community support, there’s nothing like fans attending games.”
Of course, Hunt’s proclamation hints at the 8,700 fans per game the 67’s have lured-in this season, and the record-breaking attendance numbers from the 1999 Memorial Cup, which saw the host 67’s crowned champions at the Civic Centre.
That season, the 67’s were ousted in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs, but earned a berth in the national championship because a spot is always reserved for the host team.
Similar outbursts were heard in Barrie – another city that lost out in the bidding. Club president Jamie Massie boasted in the Barrie Examiner about his team’s top-ten CHL ranking and the fact that league officials would have been put up in a ritzy hotel, had the cup come to his city.
“We had the CHL delegation staying at the world-class Horseshoe Resort and the hockey teams would’ve been staying at local hotels which are within minutes of the building,” said Massie, almost bribing the CHL away from its original decision.
“We’re certainly disappointed – at this point we haven’t been given the reasons for (the CHL Officials’) rationale for the selection process – but I’m also disappointed for our players.”
This is simply a case of poor sportsmanship by the owners.
Four teams entered bids for the 2002 Memorial Cup: the
Ottawa 67’s, the Barrie Colts, the Erie Otters and the Guelph Storm. The league considered four points in deciding the host. They were the team, the facilities, the community and the economics.
Guess what? The best bid won in the end.
The Memorial Cup is much more than fancy hotels and economic returns. To the true junior hockey fan, it symbolizes an important time in junior hockey, regardless of where it’s contested.
Sure, Ottawa, Barrie, and Erie may have entered strong bids. It’s impossible to deny the economic gains of hosting such a tournament in larger cities. We’ve seen it first hand in here in Ottawa.
However, there are advantages to hosting such a championship in smaller communities across the country and Guelph makes a strong case for this.
This year’s tournament will strengthen the OHL and the province of Ontario, attracting new fans by placing this small community on the national stage.
The Storm have modern facilities to host the tournament, including the 4,686-seat Guelph Sports and Entertainment Complex, which opened in October 2000.
The city is celebrating its 175th birthday and it’s ready to share that with the rest of Canada. It also narrowly missed out on hosting the Cup in 1996, when Peterborough won the bid.
Finally, the Storm have consistently topped the standings this season in the OHL’s Midwest division.
Thus, Guelph stands tall in three out four categories (team, facilites and community) and deserves to host the Memorial Cup.
We’ve had our fun in the sun here in Ottawa. The 1999 tournament has gone down as one of the most memorable in history and we owe a lot to the 67’s for the experience.
However, Ottawa should accept the CHL’s decision. After all, the dream of another Memorial Cup is not far-fetched for the 67’s.
They’ll just have to win to get in this time around.