Stay informed with the LNN Daily Newsletter

Brooks Bandits to host 2019 RBC Cup

Jun 23, 2017 | 4:43 PM

BROOKS – The RBC Cup is returning to Alberta in 2019.

The Canadian junior Hockey League announced Thursday that the City of Brooks and the Brooks Bandits will play host to the country’s national Junior A Hockey Championship from May 11-19, 2019.

“This is an incredible day for us as an organization, for the City of Brooks, for the County of Newell,” said Tyler King, chair of the bid committee and Bandits communications manager right after making the announcement. “This is the culmination of all the incredible things this organization has done over the past few years and it’s the ultimate reward for our fans and we couldn’t be more happy,” continued King.

This is the seventh time the RBC Cup has been held in Alberta, with the most recent being Lloydminster in 2016.

The tournament brings together the top Junior A teams in the country, and the host Bandits, to compete for the national championship.

The Bandits won the Cup in 2013, and qualified for the tournament in 2016 and 2017. The Bandits lost in the semifinals in 2016, and were defeated in overtime by the Coburg Cougars in the tournament final this year.

Jeff Beck, senior manager of events and properties for Hockey Canada, says the Bandits consistent success the last few years was a huge factor in them being selected to host the tournament.

“Having that (host) team competitive at a national championship is key to the overall success of the event,” said Beck. “If your host team can’t compete with the other regional champions you’re not going to draw that same fan support.

“We know what we’re going to get in Brooks, we’ve seen how well they’ve competed over the last five plus years and we expect them to continue that same level of play.”

Being competitive when 2019 rolls around is something Bandits Head Coach and General Manager Ryan Papaioannou expects out of his club, and with four AJHL Championships in the last six years it’s easy to understand why.

“It’s a different challenge though when you know you’re hosting, and it’s going to be a whole new thing for us to build that squad,” Papaioannou said, adding it won’t hurt his current recruiting efforts to have a guranteed national championship berth in two years time.

Brooks Mayor Barry Morishita meanwhile is excited to have the national spotlight on his city and its people for more than a week.

“I’m looking forward to showcasing our community to the rest of the country,” he says. “It’s a tremendous opportunity, and I think it’s one where we will not disappoint.”

Tournament ticket packages are tentatively scheduled to go on sale in May 2018 and season ticket holders will be given the first opportunity to reserve seats for the tournament.