Membertou First Nation hosts Telus Cup after years-long wait
The puck is dropped on the 2024 Telus Cup on Membertou First Nation in Cape Breton.
What many of the teenaged players in the national Under-18 hockey championship might not know is how long it took for the event to happen.
"I know, it's hard to believe it's finally here. It's been a long time coming,” said Paul Carroll, general manager of the Membertou Sport & Wellness Centre and a member of the tournament host committee.
It was nearly five years ago - all the way back in July 2019 - when it was first announced that Membertou would host the Telus Cup.
It was initially intended for 2021, but then came the COVID-19 pandemic.
Membertou’s hosting rights were then put off to 2022, but that spring the tournament was hosted in Alberta instead amid concerns about the Omicron wave in the Maritimes – with the promise that Membertou would get its turn to host in a future year.
That chance has finally come.
"It's great, it's a beautiful arena. I'm originally from Sydney, so it's like coming home,” said Theresa Andrews, whose son Derek plays for the Kensington Wild of Prince Edward Island. They qualified for the Telus Cup as Atlantic champions. Her older son, Brent Andrews, was a member of the Halifax Mooseheads when they won the 2013 Memorial Cup.
Monday’s opening game saw the P.E.I. squad drop a close 7-6 decision to Ontario's Markham Waxers.
Still, fans from “the other Island” were having a good time.
"We're pretty proud of them to be here, and I hope that they show P.E.I. well and proud,” Andrews said.
Getting to host the Telus Cup in Membertou may have turned into a years-long wait, but it could be argued the timing actually couldn't have been better.
The island's other hockey team - the Cape Breton Eagles of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League - are on a playoff run in front of sold-out crowds.
In March, Sydney hosted Team Canada's gold medal win at the World Women's Curling Championship.
Restaurants and hotels that have seen an increase in revenues from all the buzz around town hope to keep the momentum going.
"It went up 30 per cent for that time of year, which is a fantastic boost,” said Ardon Mofford, owner of Governor’s Pub & Eatery in Sydney, of the curling crowds. "The sales have been fantastic. When the Eagles are in town and they have a sold-out house, we're busy before the game. We're busy after the game. And with the Telus Cup, we're looking for the same kind of impact."
Tournament organizers say that so far ticket sales are ahead of schedule.
"(The momentum) just keeps feeding, and I think it's going to help this event be even bigger and better than we had hoped,” Carroll said.
The host Sydney Mitsubishi Rush were set to play their first game of the Telus Cup Monday evening against the Calgary Buffaloes.
The championship game is scheduled for April 28.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Princess Anne to take part in B.C. ceremony bringing new ship into Pacific fleet
Canada's first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel will officially be brought into the Pacific fleet today and Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles, is scheduled to take part in its commissioning ceremony.
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Feds giving Toronto more than $104M to host 2026 FIFA World Cup
The federal government will provide Toronto just over $104 million in funding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Police clear encampments as U.S. campus arrests exceed 2,300 amid pro-Palestinian protests
Police ordered pro-Palestinian protesters to clear out of a tent encampment at New York University early Friday, a move that follows weeks of demonstrations and police confrontations at college campuses nationwide that have resulted in more than 2,300 arrests.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'