The Story Behind the Memorial Cup

How it all began

Picture Canada in November 1918, just after the end of the First World War. The nation was grieving the loss of thousands of young men, among them hockey players, brothers, sons, and fathers who had served and sacrificed on the battlefield.

To honour those fallen soldiers, the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) created a new junior hockey tournament in March 1919. The prize? A new trophy called the Memorial Cup, awarded to the best junior team in Canada in tribute to the country’s war heroes.

From the Great War to the Great Rink: How the Memorial Cup has evolved?

The Memorial Cup has come a long way since those first games in 1919. Originally created to honour the country’s top junior hockey players, the trophy began highlighting Junior A players starting in 1934, reflecting the growing talent pool and national enthusiasm for the sport.

By the 1970s, the tournament took on a new identity. The focus shifted to major junior hockey, and with that came a new format: a round-robin showdown between the champions of Canada’s three major junior leagues; the Western Hockey League (WHL), the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

This new structure helped turn the Memorial Cup into one of the most prestigious trophies in Canadian hockey, a stage where future NHL stars often get their first real taste of the national spotlight and where fans across the country rally behind the next generation of greats.

So, how does the Memorial Cup actually work?

Since 1983, the Memorial Cup has delivered 10 action-packed days of top-tier hockey, buzzing crowds, and young players leaving everything on the ice for a shot at Canadian hockey glory.

The tournament brings together the champions from each of the 3 major junior leagues, plus a bonus: the host city’s team automatically gets a spot. Each team faces off against the other 3 in a round-robin format, and the best performers move on to the elimination semifinals. The strongest two teams then go head-to-head in the ultimate showdown: the Memorial Cup final.

It’s high stakes, high-energy hockey, and for many players, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make history.

Let’s be clear, this isn’t just any trophy. The Memorial Cup is the holy grail of junior hockey in Canada. We’re talking big-time stakes here. Sidney Crosby, Carey Price, and plenty of other NHL greats all left their mark on this tournament. And every year, fans wonder: who’s next?

Beyond the fierce competition, the Cup is also a powerful tribute. It’s a uniquely Canadian way of blending sport with remembrance, faceoffs and history, adrenaline and honour, all wrapped into one.

Want to learn more about past legends and rising stars from our neck of the woods? Head over to Land of Champions, where we celebrate the heart and soul of our local sports legacy.

This year, all eyes are on Bas-Saint-Laurent

In 2025, the Memorial Cup is turning 105 and Rimouski is hosting the celebration! L’Océanic will welcome top teams from across the country for a fierce battle for junior hockey’s most prestigious title. Want to know more about this hometown powerhouse? You can read up on the team here.

One thing’s for sure: from May 22 to June 1, downtown Rimouski will be the beating heart of Canadian hockey.

Will you be there?