A lawyer and a former provincial politician will be leading Kelowna’s bid to host the Memorial Cup in two years’ time.
On Wednesday, David Rush and Steve Thomson were announced as co-chairs of the city’s 2026 Memorial Cup campaign team.
Rush has been practicing law since 1985, is a co-founder of the law firm Rush Ihas Hardwick LLP and worked with various boards and advisory committees.
Thomson was the MLA for Kelowna-Mission for years and also held the titles of forest minister, energy minister and agriculture minister. He retired from provincial politics in 2020.
Coincidentally, Kelowna was slated to host the Memorial Cup in 2020, but the tournament was cancelled two months prior due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, the Kelowna Rockets and the city have once again combined their efforts hoping to land the 2026 Memorial Cup.
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“Both David and Steve bring years of experience and dedicated service to Kelowna, making them ideal candidates to spearhead this important initiative,” the city said.
The tournament pumps millions into local economies. In 2019, an economic impact for the 2019 event in Halifax estimated visitor spending at $9.1 million.
If Kelowna is successful in securing the tournament, it would be the second time that the Okanagan will host the 10-day event.
The Rockets hosted the Memorial Cup in 2004 and capped it by winning and being crowned national champions.
The four-team field is generally comprised of three league champions (WHL, OHL and QMJHL) and a host team. However, from time to time, the host team is also a league champion.
Taking the fourth spot is the team that loses to the host team in that league’s respective championship series.
For example, in 2005, the London Knights of the OHL hosted the Memorial Cup. However, they were also crowned league champions that season after defeating the Ottawa 67s in the OHL league final, 4 games to 1.
Ottawa participated in the tournament and scored a major victory, upsetting WHL champion Kelowna 3-2 in double overtime despite being outshot 64-47. Danny Battaochio’s 62 saves that night still stand as a Memorial Cup record.
Should Kelowna be crowned league champions for 2025-26, whoever the Rockets face in the league final would be the other WHL team competing in the Memorial Cup.
In the 2024 Memorial Cup, the host Saginaw Spirit defeated the London Knights 4-3 in the all-OHL final. The WHL champion Moose Jaw Warriors finished third, falling 7-1 to Saginaw in the semifinal.
The 2025 Memorial Cup will take place in Rimouski, Que., May 22 to June 1.
It will be the second time that Rimouski will host the tournament since the turn of the century.
In 2009, the Rockets rolled through the playoffs, winning the WHL championship with a loaded roster featuring four longtime NHLers: Jamie Benn, Tyler Myers, Mikael Backlund and Tyson Barrie.
The team advanced to the final, but wound up losing 4-1 to the Windsor Spitfires in the final.