The Government of New Brunswick will provide around $1.1 million for the 2022 Memorial Cup taking place in Saint John this summer.
The tournament, which will take place from June 20 to 29, is the national championship of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). It is being hosted by the city’s flagship team – the Saint John Sea Dogs, which won the Memorial Cup in 2011.
“Hosting this nine-day event will be a great boost to the economy and the tourism season,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Gary Crossman, who is also minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation.
“As a hockey fan, I can already see the momentum building in the port city and across the province for this exciting tournament. When June 20 arrives, we will be ready to host hockey fans from across the country.”
Funding comes from the Regional Development Corporation’s Community Development Fund.
The city won the bid for the cup in September 2021. Dan MacKenzie, president of the league, said at the time that this year’s event is the first time the tournament will make its way to Saint John.
“The bid committee did a fantastic job of outlining how Saint John will embrace the Memorial Cup with its Maritime hospitality to create an atmosphere that both celebrates the game and leaves a lasting legacy in the community,” said MacKenzie in a September press release.
The province says the event emphasized New Brunswick’s rich history of players who enjoyed successful hockey careers, including Fredericton’s Willie O’Ree and Everett Sanipass from Elsipogtog First Nation.
“New Brunswick has a proud hockey history, and the addition of events around the Memorial Cup to celebrate diversity and inclusion is a wonderful way to say that hockey is for everyone,” said Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn in a news release.
“We look forward to celebrating that diversity and inclusion during the annual showcase event for junior hockey in Canada, right here in Saint John.”
According to the province, the event will generate up to $10 million in “economic activity.”
Tammy Scott-Wallace, New Brunswick’s minister of tourism, heritage and culture, said in a news release that the region looks forward to being the centre of attention when the puck drops on the tournament.
“Hosting one of the most prestigious hockey championships is a tremendous opportunity to invite the players’ family and friends to New Brunswick,” said Scott-Wallace.
“Once people experience all we have to offer, I am sure they will want to return or even come here to live.”
Host Organizing Committee Chairperson Mark-Anthony Ashfield says there is a sense of gratitude for the partnership and financial support received from the province to make the event a reality.
“The Memorial Cup will be an exceptional event for our province and, in addition to the positive financial impact, it will create memories that will last a lifetime,” said Ashfield.