WINNIPEG, MB – The Portage Terriers and city of Portage la Prairie have been officially been recognized by Hockey Canada as hosts of the 2023 Centennial Cup presented by Tim Hortons. The event is set to take place during May 2023 with final dates and format to be finalized.
Prior to the pandemic, Portage la Prairie, MB was scheduled to host the 2020 Centennial Cup. With the cancellation of the 2020 event due to the pandemic, Portage requested through Hockey Canada and the CJHL the ability to have an opportunity to host a future Centennial Cup. The MJHL, Hockey Manitoba, Hockey Canada and the CJHL strongly supported the Portage Terriers and the City of Portage la Prairie in their request to host the 2023 Centennial Cup.
“It was disappointing when the event was cancelled in the spring of 2020 due to the pandemic. The MJHL, CJHL and Hockey Manitoba was fully supportive of the request made to Hockey Canada to allow Portage the opportunity to host the event in 2023. The Province of Manitoba and the City of Portage la Prairie have proven to be an excellent host for Canada’s National Junior A Championship, and the Portage Terriers are proven competitors and champions in previous events,” explained MJHL Commissioner, Kevin Saurette.
“We are thankful for the support from the MJHL, CJHL, Hockey Manitoba and Hockey Canada and look forward to hosting this prestigious national event in the Spring of 2023. We have everything in place from our 2020 Centennial Cup preparations to move forward seamlessly with planning and execution of the 2023 Centennial Cup,” shared Dale Deschouwer, Co-Chair of the Centennial Cup Host Committee.
“On behalf of the CJHL we are grateful that Portage has managed the disappointment of the pandemic cancellation (2020), and has remained enthusiastic about hosting the 2023 Centennial Cup presented by Tim Hortons,” said Brent Ladds, CJHL President. “The City of Portage has been a great host for Junior A events in the past, and we are confident that the 2023 will be no exception.”
Please stay tuned for further updates in the coming weeks.
