What is the future of the Western Canada Cup?
Most recently the Estevan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League hosted the Western Canada Cup.
Earlier this week they reported the tournament was a financial success, making it only the 2nd installment of the tournament to be a profitable venture since the innaugural tournament Nanaimo,B.C. hosted in 2013.
The cost to host the Western Canada Cup ran the Bruins about $600,000. A majority of that cost lies in team travel, accommodations, and keeping 5 junior hockey teams well fed.
However, they were able to make three separate $40,000 contributions to different groups: one to the Estevan Bruins, one to the SJHL, and one to the 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games held in Estevan this year. That's $25,000 more than the initial $15,000 the organizing committee had planned to give the three groups.
But despite the financial success, the tournament could be reaching its' expiry date.
Penticton, B.C. is set to host the event at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season.
No team wants to host it for 2017-18. Both the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, and the Alberta Junior hockey league passed on the chance.
The Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan leagues have all decided a change needs to happen to the regional final format.
That could spell the end for the Western Canada Cup.
The SJHL made the decision prior to the reported financial success of the Estevan event.
MJHL Commishioner Kim Davis says it's unlikely any of the leagues would reverse their decision given Estevan's recent success.
He even projected that the leagues would not change their minds if the WCC held in Penticton this year were to be a financial success.
At this time it's unknown what a new regional format would look like. When asked if the Anavet Cup, a once regional final between the Manitoba and Saskatchewan leagues, would be making its' return, Davis said no decision has been made but did not rule out the possibility of it making a comeback.
An official decision will be announced sometime in late 2016 or early 2017.
