The Saint John Sea Dogs have been awarded next year’s Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft, but many are wondering when the Port City will finally host the Memorial Cup.
It’s an event the city has tried, and failed to land in the past.
"The short answer is yes, we can host an event of that scale and we should go after it," said Saint John Mayor Don Darling.
The Sea Dogs were the first team from Atlantic Canada to bring home the top prize for Canadian junior hockey.
The last bid by the Sea Dogs to host the Memorial Cup in 2012 ended in disappointment and frustration when Saint John lost out to Shawinagin.
The tournament has yet to be awarded for the 100th anniversary of the event in 2018. In the following year, the competition must go to a team from the Quebec league.
The Sea Dogs have yet to enter an official bid.
"It's on our radar and I know it's a personal goal of the ownership group and Scott McCain to have a Memorial Cup in the city,” said Saint John Sea Dogs president Trevor Georgie. “It's a goal of mine too, and the organization."
Having a competitive hockey team improves the chances of hosting the event. Sea Dogs fans say that will not be a problem.
“With the players we have coming up right now, they'll be ready by 2019 big time," said Sea Dogs season ticket holder Art Cipryk.
QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau acknowledged on Monday that Saint John is capable of hosting the competition.
"They have a great building, they can put (together) a great hockey team. They have everything thing we need for hotel facilities," he said.
But Courteau also revealed Monday that the Sea Dogs are not the only QMJHL team that have been quietly expressing interest in hosting the big event in 2019.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Mike Cameron.
