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Post by wade on Apr 30, 2023 17:37:43 GMT -5
Just wanted to clarify something for a couple people:
No, the 2023 Allan Cup is NOT a “national championship”.
If you look at the banner Dundas Real Mcoys held after winning the final game of the tournament, it doesn’t say “National Champions” nor is it an authentic Hockey Canada Issued Banner.
And you’ll also notice Hockey Canada’s official website is NOT recording Dundas Real Mc’’s as National Champions.
Hockey Canada agreed to loan the Allan Cup Trophy for Dundas to host this tournament, the tournament winner held up the trophy and they’re referring to themselves as National Champions and that’s caused some confusion.
Congratulations to the “Challenge Cup Champs”
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Post by outwest95 on Apr 30, 2023 19:29:22 GMT -5
Yes wade well said and I see where your coming from. I think we share a similar perspective on this as with only 3 of the 6 regions being represented at the tournament it’s easy to see how it isn’t a legitimate national championship. Hence the name “Allan Cup Challenge”. Plus with HC only loaning a trophy it’s a tough sell as a national championship. I think the Allan Cup itself and what it stood for over the years is what lends people to say it’s a national championship.
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Post by IceMan_M on May 1, 2023 0:40:13 GMT -5
I’d love to see this come back as the legit tourney it once was.
Wade - I think we all agree that senior is but a speck of what it was in years passed (no specifics on dates exactly) but can we agree that the only way to move forward is to generate buzz and talk like back then?
I remember hearing about big, bad Bentley when I first started playing senior, those guys were nasty. In the best way possible. The crowds must have been wild and awesome to be around!
After a few years off, I’m all for this “challenge” cup if it brings it back and gets things rolling again.
I talked to a number of the guys and they loved it. From the experience to the games, the reffing, the volunteers, it was an all round success.
Let’s hope this brings back the interest and small town pride.
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Post by southoftheborder on May 1, 2023 15:04:56 GMT -5
Times change...adapt and move on or die.
If this is what they had to do for this year so be it.
With some of the complaints that have come up over this I am surprised that no one is complaining that it still isn't a challenge cup.
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Post by mlh01 on May 1, 2023 21:12:39 GMT -5
Yes wade well said and I see where your coming from. I think we share a similar perspective on this as with only 3 of the 6 regions being represented at the tournament it’s easy to see how it isn’t a legitimate national championship. Hence the name “Allan Cup Challenge”. Plus with HC only loaning a trophy it’s a tough sell as a national championship. I think the Allan Cup itself and what it stood for over the years is what lends people to say it’s a national championship. Outwest - I generally agree with your posts. In this case, what is the difference if Hockey Canada was involved? They weren’t involved in this Championship, or a few others, due to many other circumstances - most of which are well documented. My point is had they sponsored this years Cup, and helped Donnie financially, what difference would it have made? There still only would have been 7-8 eligible teams. I know for a fact Donnie tried for months to get Hockey Canada buy in. They balked. They may balk next year. We’d all love a team from each region but if they don’t materialize it’s still the Canadian championship. Instead of complaining, everyone should put their energy towards helping to build teams in each province.
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Post by mlh01 on May 1, 2023 21:26:17 GMT -5
Also I must add, that during the Bentley / Lacombe era that Wade talks about - as a much better era - in reality wasn’t much different than Senior hockey is 5-10 years later. During the last decade when the Generals won their Cups, there really only were EIGHT official Senior AAA teams that played in 2 leagues.
The other entries like Southeast in Manitoba or Kenora in the Northern Ontario region, etc simply setup “all star” teams. They didn’t have carry a $250k budget that goes along with a full season. Rather they put together a high caliber all star team to represent their respective provinces.
This year there were 7 teams that played in 2 leagues, and one province that put together a team - Newfoundland. So how is this year so different than back then? Seems pretty similar to me. Just a few more all star provincial entries back then.
Even better, Clarenville actually does play in an AA league…And they will go down in history for playing a HUGE part in saving the Allan Cup.
So don’t be surprised if Manitoba (Southeast) and Saskatchewan (Rosetown or Lloydmonster) have entries next year.
You heard it here first !
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Post by outwest95 on May 2, 2023 11:27:53 GMT -5
Also I must add, that during the Bentley / Lacombe era that Wade talks about - as a much better era - in reality wasn’t much different than Senior hockey is 5-10 years later. During the last decade when the Generals won their Cups, there really only were EIGHT official Senior AAA teams that played in 2 leagues. The other entries like Southeast in Manitoba or Kenora in the Northern Ontario region, etc simply setup “all star” teams. They didn’t have carry a $250k budget that goes along with a full season. Rather they put together a high caliber all star team to represent their respective provinces. This year there were 7 teams that played in 2 leagues, and one province that put together a team - Newfoundland. So how is this year so different than back then? Seems pretty similar to me. Just a few more all star provincial entries back then. Even better, Clarenville actually does play in an AA league…And they will go down in history for playing a HUGE part in saving the Allan Cup. So don’t be surprised if Manitoba (Southeast) and Saskatchewan (Rosetown or Lloydmonster) have entries next year. You heard it here first ! Honestly I wouldn't be surprised at this either. Just comes down to finding a league to play in, however that's a small obstacle now I feel compared to a year ago. Whether this comes as an invite like this year or an actual team that played all year together, teams will find a spot.
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Post by mlh01 on May 2, 2023 16:39:28 GMT -5
Other thing regarding Hockey Canada. They allowed the Ontario Hockey Federation to stage the event. If HC don’t have their shit in order by next season, there might not be a choice. OHF would need to take it on again. Would Hockey Alberta take over if they bid?
Hoping it’s a one off and Hockey Canada realizes the significance and history behind the Allan Cup.
Would make every provinces life much easier if Hockey Canada supported this both in organization and financially.
Yes I’m dreaming ….
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Post by outwest95 on May 3, 2023 16:48:36 GMT -5
I think that is what everyone hopes will happen. From what I heard it was a very successful event and was run/organized very well. The teams were all competitive, at least from what I saw watching Innisfail's streams. I wasn't gunna pay $25 to watch Clareville's stream, especially with no commentary. I thought that was very well done for what seemed like a last minute decision. Anyway either HC does or doesn't and I think either way it will happen next year in some capacity. The interesting thing that keeps getting brought up is going back to an East vs West format, which in my opinion makes sense, however that's ultimately up to whatever the committee and HC decide.
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