Memorial Cup Legacy Scholarship Program

PHOTO CREDIT: CANDICE WARD/CHL

The Canadian Hockey League working with the Kamloops Blazers and the 2023 Memorial Cup Host Organizing Committee raised over $180,000 that will be going to several exceptional causes.

The funding raised during the 2023 Memorial Cup saw $133,390 during the 2023 in-arena  50/50 program that filters down to $15,000 allocated to KidSport Canada, $68,390 to the Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division, and $50,000 to the Memorial Cup Legacy Scholarship Program.

It should be known that this came from the CHL’s commitment to academic excellence and its vision of creating a lasting legacy in communities that host the Memorial Cup. 

The  Memorial Cup Legacy Scholarship Program was established last year in Saint John, N.B., to give support to students from Memorial Cup host communities in pursuit of post-secondary education. 

Over the next five years, thanks to the $50,000 raised through the 2023 Memorial Cup 50/50 program, two deserving students from Kamloops will annually be selected to receive academic scholarships valued at up to $5,000.

Interested applicants from both Saint John and Kamloops who wish to apply for the next round of Memorial Cup scholarships can do so online when the application process begins this September.

Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL mentioned “As we saw again in Kamloops, the Memorial Cup is truly a catalyst for positive change within a host community and serves as an important platform to support a number of worthy causes.”

He continued “In addition to our continued efforts to aid Canadian veteran programs and promote positive mental health through the CMHA, the CHL is proud to be carrying on its Memorial Cup Legacy Scholarship Program in Kamloops, which no doubt will be one of many legacies produced from the 2023 Memorial Cup.”

The other funds raised at the 2023 Memorial Cup came thanks to an event and a pair of jersey auctions that the CHL held during the tournament’s 11-day run. 

The first of these auctions were of game-worn jerseys from players who represented Team Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships (WJHC). 

In total, over $38,500 was raised through this auction to aid the work of the CMHA’s Talk Today program, with Regina Pats forward and top NHL prospect Connor Bedard’s jersey garnering a final bid of $18,446.

Between the auction of the WJHC jerseys and the Memorial Cup 50/50 program, over $106,000 raised during the 2023 Memorial Cup is being donated to the CMHA to promote positive mental health and support the work of its Talk Today program across Canada. 

One of the most comprehensive mental health programs we are hearing about surrounds amateur sports in Canada which provides support to players and staff, and raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. 

While we strongly support the above initiative we and others I am in conversation with are wondering why there is no mentin of support for officials as well as on-ice officials who regularly work the league.

It should be noted that since the beginning there have been 4,810 players, coaches, billet parents and staff have participated in Talk Today across the CHL.

 Jonny Morris, CEO of the CMHA – BC Division mentions “We’re grateful for the Canadian Hockey League’s generous donation and commitment to supporting mental health.” 

He continues “Through our Talk Today partnership with the CHL and its member leagues, we’re working to end the stigma around mental health both on and off the ice across Canada.”

Lastly, between the auction of the game-worn commemorative jerseys that the Kamloops Blazers wore during the tournament’s opening night and the 2023 Memorial Cup Fan Breakfast, more than $11,000 was collectively raised for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52. 

In addition funds also went to the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command Poppy Trust Funds which funds national veteran programs which support veterans and their families in need. 

Originally known as the OHA Memorial Cup and donated by the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) in March 1919, the Memorial Cup trophy was created in remembrance of the many 

soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice for Canada in the First World War. 

The trophy was later rededicated in 2010 to the memory of all fallen Canadian Military Personnel, and the Memorial Cup tournament continues to this day to honour this meaningful connection that it has to the military.