Author: Dominic Tiano

TORONTO (Thursday, November 20, 2025) – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is pleased to announce that the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) have been selected to host the 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota. The 107th edition of the CHL’s championship event will be staged in Guelph, Ontario, in the spring of 2027, as the city celebrates 200 years since its founding in 1827. Exact dates for the tournament will be announced at a later time.

As part of today’s announcement, the CHL, OHL, and Guelph Storm will host a formal press conference tomorrow (November 21) at 2:00 p.m. ET at the Storm’s home arena (50 Woolwich Street, Guelph, ON, N1H 3T9). Members of the media interested in attending are asked to confirm their attendance by contacting Christopher Séguin, CHL Manager of Media Relations, at cseguin@chl.ca.

Guelph was selected following a competitive bidding process among OHL clubs interested in hosting the 2027 tournament. Earlier this fall, the Storm and the Kitchener Rangers were identified as the two finalist organizations in contention to host the event. After formal presentations and site visits, the final decision was made by the 2027 Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee, an independent panel of five leaders from across the sports and business communities: Annie Rummel (former CEO, Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau), Colin Campbell (Executive Vice-President of Hockey Operations, NHL), Shawn Redmond (Vice President and General Manager, TSN/RDS), Aaron Fransen (Lawyer, Stikemans), and Dean McIntosh (Senior Vice President of Revenue, Fan Experience & Community Impact, Hockey Canada). Each bid was evaluated across four key categories: Business Operations, Community Engagement & Atmosphere, Event Logistics, and Hockey Operations.

“We are thrilled to be bringing the 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota to Guelph,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL. “The Storm put forward an outstanding bid that showcased not only their organizational strength, but also the passion, vision, and community spirit that make the Royal City such a special junior hockey market. With the Memorial Cup returning to Guelph in the same year the city marks its bicentennial, fans can expect an unforgettable event that celebrates Guelph’s history and the tournament’s rich tradition, while providing a world-class experience for players, fans, and partners alike.”

“The Storm have established themselves as one of the premier franchises in the Canadian Hockey League, with four OHL championships and an impressive group of distinguished alumni that have gone on to do great things both in the game of hockey and in professional life,” added OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford. “Guelph’s passionate fan base and first-class facilities make them an ideal host for this prestigious tournament. I have no doubt the Storm will be driven to capture their first-ever Memorial Cup title on home ice, and we look forward to an unforgettable event in 2026.”

“Hosting the Memorial Cup in 2027 is an incredible honour for our organization and our city,” stated Scott Walker, Guelph Storm Partner and President of Hockey Operations. “This event is the pinnacle of junior hockey, and bringing it to Guelph during our bicentennial year makes it even more special. We’re excited to showcase our passionate fans, our community, and the tradition of excellence that defines the Storm.”

“I am absolutely thrilled the Memorial Cup is coming to Guelph! We’re ready to make this unforgettable event the centrepiece of Guelph’s bicentennial celebrations in 2027,” said Cam Guthrie, Mayor of Guelph. “With the Guelph Storm, we look forward to showcasing Guelph’s passion for hockey, celebrating our vibrant community, and welcoming fans from across the country to experience everything we have to offer.”

“We’re excited that Guelph has been chosen to host the 2027 Memorial Cup, and we’re looking forward to our continued partnership as the Official Presenting Partner,” declared Steve Sweetnam, Marketing Director for Kubota Canada. “The Memorial Cup isn’t just a championship—it’s a gathering that celebrates community, our sports heritage, and the passion for hockey that brings Canadians together. At Kubota Canada, we value the CHL’s contribution to youth development in local communities, and we’re delighted to share the excitement this tournament brings to Guelph and fans nationwide.”

With Guelph set to mark 200 years in 2027 since its establishment in 1827, the City and the Storm plan to work closely with community partners to integrate the Memorial Cup into a broader calendar of bicentennial events. Together, they will aim to create a festival-style atmosphere that brings people downtown and throughout the Royal City, connecting hockey enthusiasts and non-hockey fans alike through concerts, outdoor activations, community initiatives, and family-friendly programming tied to the tournament.

The Guelph Storm and the City of Guelph share a rich history with the Memorial Cup. The Storm have competed in six Memorial Cups (1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2014, 2019) and previously hosted the event in 2002, marking the franchise’s first time staging the tournament. While the Storm franchise is still seeking its first Memorial Cup title, Guelph hockey fans have twice celebrated CHL supremacy, with the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters capturing the trophy in 1952 and the Guelph Platers doing so in 1986. The city also played a role as a co-host of the 1962 Memorial Cup alongside Kitchener and Hamilton.

With a talented young core in place, the Guelph Storm have built an exciting foundation heading into 2026-27. In goal, 2026 NHL Draft-eligible Zachary Jovanovski – a B-rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting and a participant at next week’s 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge – projects as a key piece alongside 2027 NHL Draft-eligible Collin Ellsworth, who earned a silver medal with Canada Red at the 2024 U17 World Challenge. On the blue line, Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Quinn Beauchesne and 2026 NHL Draft-eligible defenceman Eric Frossard form a promising pairing that is expected to play an important role on the Storm’s blue line moving forward. Up front, Jaakko Wycisk, the second-overall pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, and 2026 NHL Draft-eligible Carter Stevens headline an emerging forward group that gives Guelph an exciting mix of high-end skill and growing talent.

In 2027, the Guelph Storm will be one of four clubs competing in the Memorial Cup tournament alongside the playoff champions from each of the OHL, Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), and Western Hockey League (WHL). The 2027 Memorial Cup will follow the 2025 tournament in Rimouski, Québec, and the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, which will be hosted by the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL in Kelowna, B.C., from May 21–31, 2026.

The most recent Memorial Cup was held last spring in Rimouski, where the London Knights defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers 4-1 in the final to win the franchise’s third CHL championship. With that victory, London joined the Cornwall Royals, Kamloops Blazers, and Windsor Spitfires as the only clubs to win three Memorial Cup titles since 1972.

About the Memorial Cup

The Memorial Cup is the CHL’s iconic championship event, bringing together the playoff champions of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), along with a host team, in a four-club round-robin tournament to crown the CHL champion.

First awarded in 1919, the Memorial Cup has become one of the most storied and prestigious trophies in hockey, helping shape more than a century of junior hockey history in North America. Originally donated by the Ontario Hockey Association to honour Canadian soldiers who gave their lives in the First World War, the trophy was rededicated in 2010 to commemorate all fallen members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Today, the Memorial Cup stands as a powerful symbol of remembrance, sacrifice, and national pride, while showcasing many of the best junior hockey players in the world.

The next edition of the tournament, the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, will be hosted by the Kelowna Rockets (WHL) in Kelowna, B.C., from May 21–31, 2026, with tournament ticket packages now available.

About the Canadian Hockey League (CHL)

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is the world’s largest development hockey league with 52 Canadian and nine American teams participating in the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League (NHL) and U SPORTS than any other league. During the 2024-25 season, of the 1,000-plus players who played a game in the NHL, over 415 came through the CHL. At the 2025 NHL Draft, 90 CHL players were selected, including 21 in the first round. For more information regarding the CHL, please visit chl.ca.

About the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has long been regarded as the number one development league in the world, continuing to serve as a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League. The OHL consists of 20 teams, with 17 located in Ontario, two in the state of Michigan and one in the state of Pennsylvania. A proud member of the Canadian Hockey League, the OHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships, with over 329 graduates receiving OHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice in 2024-25, resulting in a collective investment of over $42 million by OHL member teams over the past 15 years.

TORONTO, ON – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL), together with the Member Leagues — the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) — and Dr. Oetker’s Giuseppe Pizzeria are proud to announce the return of the Giuseppe Practice with a Pro contest for the 2025-26 season. This year’s program will give one lucky minor hockey team from across Canada the chance to practice with Hockey Hall of Famer and WHL alumnus Jarome Iginla during Championship Weekend at the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Kelowna, B.C. 

In addition to this once-in-a-lifetime on-ice experience, the winning team will also have the opportunity to take in the festivities surrounding the 106th edition of the Memorial Cup, including select events, fan experiences, and the atmosphere of junior hockey’s most celebrated championship. The contest officially runs from November 3, 2025, through February 27, 2026, and is open to all youth hockey teams across Canada. Teams can enter online at giuseppepracticewithapro.com.

Since its launch in 2023, the Giuseppe Practice with a Pro contest has celebrated the spirit of teamwork, sportsmanship, and community that define Canadian hockey. Over the past decade, the program has inspired hundreds of young players and recognized local teams whose passion and camaraderie reflect the very best of the game.

In addition to the grand prize, this year’s contest will also give entrants the chance to win one of several secondary prizes through the program’s new Elevated Game Night experiences — special events in select WHL, OHL, and QMJHL markets designed to celebrate youth hockey teams and bring fans closer to the game. Winning teams will receive tickets to a game and a VIP experience. These enhanced game nights will take place in six communities across the CHL: Edmonton Oil Kings (Nov. 30) and Vancouver Giants (Dec. 5) in the WHL, Guelph Storm (Jan. 16) and Oshawa Generals (Feb. 8) in the OHL, and Halifax Mooseheads (Feb. 12) and Moncton Wildcats (Feb. 21) in the QMJHL. Teams that enter the Giuseppe Practice with a Pro contest are automatically eligible for these secondary prizes.

“Giuseppe Pizzeria is all about bringing people together – both around the table and through the communities we serve,” said Indresh Kohli, Executive Head of Marketing at Dr. Oetker Canada Ltd., “Our ongoing partnership with the CHL allows us to celebrate the values that make hockey so special – teamwork, inclusion, and shared passion for the game. We’re thrilled to once again offer young athletes across Canada the opportunity to skate alongside Jarome Iginla at the Memorial Cup and be part of one of hockey’s most memorable events.”

“Our partnership with Dr. Oetker’s Giuseppe Pizzeria celebrates the shared values of teamwork, community, and inclusion that make hockey such a powerful and unifying part of Canadian life,” said Ryan Hudecki, Vice-President of Partnerships for the CHL. “The Practice with a Pro contest and new Game Night Plus experiences give young players, families, and fans across the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL memorable opportunities to connect with the game and celebrate the community spirit that defines the CHL.”

“I am excited to announce Giuseppe and I are back for year four of Practice with A Pro,” stated Jarome Iginla. “I’ve always believed that being a great teammate goes beyond the ice. Giuseppe Practice With a Pro is about recognizing the everyday acts of kindness, support, and leadership that build stronger teams and stronger communities. It’s an honour to help inspire the next generation of players who are making a difference where it matters most. I can’t wait to meet this year’s winning team at the Memorial Cup.”

Serving as the CHL’s championship event, the Memorial Cup is a four-team, round-robin tournament featuring the champions of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), along with a host team. The 106th edition of the Memorial Cup is scheduled to take place from May 21 to 31, 2026, in Kelowna, B.C., marking the event’s return to the city for the first time since 2004. As hosts, the Kelowna Rockets will join the playoff champions from the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL in competing for junior hockey’s most prestigious trophy.

For full contest details and official rules, visit giuseppepracticewithapro.com.