ST. PAUL – The St. Paul Jr. B Canadiens have won their bid to host the 2025 Central Canada Cup in St. Paul.
The Central Canada Cup is a Jr. B hockey tournament that pits top teams in the Jr. B. hockey leagues from across central Canada including Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Alberta.
The St. Paul Canadiens, representing the North Eastern Alberta Jr. B Hockey League (NEAJBHL), won the 2024 Central Canada in Flin Flon, Manitoba last April.
Hosting the Cup will require extending the closing date of Clancy Richard Arena until April 20, 2025, as the tournament will run from April 16, 2025 to April 20, 2025. The arena is normally only open until the end of March.
The Town of St. Paul approved the extension, which means the 2025 Central Canada Cup is officially coming to St. Paul.
Canadiens' President Derrick Germain expressed his excitement. “It gives us an opportunity to showcase our league around the country and see some of the talent that's out there.”
In the sport, junior hockey is often overlooked, according to Germain. “And the [Jr. B. hockey] league has changed and developed to a point where it’s a well-run show and exciting.”
While the tournament is still many months away, Germain says the team is already gearing up early to prepare for the tournament.
“There’s going to be a lot of work that will go into this, that’s for sure,” says Germain.
He adds the St. Paul Canadiens are creating a committee just for the tournament and are already looking for volunteers.
For those interested, they can email: [email protected]
Germain also thanked all those who worked to make the St. Paul Canadiens host the Cup, including the team’s general manager, Dean Smyl.
“We’re following his lead, because [Smyl] has got a lot of experience and brings a lot of value to the organization,” says Germain.
