Ice Hawks Host Cyclone Taylor Championship April 7th-10th

 It may have taken a few years, but the Cyclone Taylor Cup Championship will hit the ice April 7th-10th at the Ladner Leisure Centre.

The championship was put “on hold” only due to COVID -19 that virtually put various events on hold around the world in 2019 which was immediately following the Rugby 7’s in Vancouver March 19th-20th.

From an event that was allowed to be played with a full crowd and after a two year absence the Delta Ice Hawks will be allowed to play in front of a capacity attendance.

The event was made possible with the full support of the sporting community that use the Leisure Centre after a meeting which Mayor George Harvie met will “spring” users to sort out ice and dry floor times.

With everyone on the same page the Ice Hawks were allowed to proceed and after months of work by the City, the Ice Hawks, BC Hockey as well as the PJHL dates were finalized.

The Championship plays host to four teams, one from the| KJHL, one from the VIJHL, the league champion from the PJHL and finally the Delta Ice Hawks.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Delta Ice Hawks were selected to host the 2021 Cyclone Taylor Cup. Once the event was cancelled, the team immediately indicated their interest in hosting the event in the future. 

If Delta was the PJHL champion, the team representing them would be the team they played in the final championship series and if Delta fails as league champs then they will go in as the host team.

The teams will compete in six round-robin games, which will be followed by Bronze and Gold Medal games on Sunday April 11th.

Eduard Epshtein, Owner and President of the Delta Ice Hawks mentioned “The Ice Hawks are honoured to be hosting this season’s Cyclone Taylor Cup and to welcome the teams and families from around the province to Delta. We are looking forward to making the provincial tournament a memory to last a lifetime for players and fans, while showcasing the great facilities, accommodations, and businesses that Delta has to offer.”

The City of Delta is proud to play host to this provincial hockey championship and offers a vast variety of shops, restaurants along with the small town feel.

This will be only the fifth time that the Delta Ice Hawks have competed for the Cyclone Taylor Cup, and is only the first time in their twenty year history that they play host to the event, but last won the championship only once, in the 2011.

City of Delta Mayor George V. Harvie mentioned “We are extremely pleased to see the Delta Ice Hawks selected to host the 2022 Cyclone Taylor Cup at the Ladner Leisure Centre and this is a great opportunity to showcase the Ice Hawks, our local hockey community, and this vibrant city and we look forward to welcoming visitors, players, coaches, and officials to Delta – I’ll be cheering for the Ice Hawks from the stands!”

After consultation with BC Hockey and the three leagues involved in the tournament, the 2022 Cyclone Taylor Cup was again awarded to the Ice Hawks.

League Commissioner Trevor Alto mentioned .“Hockey everywhere was affected by the pandemic and two seasons put on hold for the Ice Hawks and this alone was disappointing for everyone, but mostly for the Ice Hawks. 

He continued “This postponement failed to deter the Ice Hawks organization or their desire and overall commitment to host this tournament. They were unwavering in their willingness to pick up where they left off and to host a first-class event in our new environment.”

Schedule and ticket packages will be on sale soon. For more information, please visit: https://www.pjhl.net/cyclone-taylor-cup

The Ice Hawks are currently looking for anyone who might wish to be a sponsor for this event and if you are able to become a sponsor, please contact the Delta Ice Hawks or Eduard Epstein at 604 806 0104