For the 39th time, Canada’s top Junior A teams have gathered, this year in Victoria, to do battle for the National Junior A Championship, beginning Saturday, May 2. This year marks just the fourth time British Columbia has hosted the tournament, joining Prince George in 2007, Nanaimo in 1998 and Vernon in 1990.
The host team, the Victoria Grizzlies, are joined by four regional champions, the Vernon Vipers (Pacific), Humboldt Broncos (West), Kingston Voyageurs (Central) and Summerside Western Capitals (East). The five teams will take to the ice at Bear Mountain Arena, hoping to earn one of the two berths in Sunday’s nationally-televised championship game.
The Broncos are looking to become the first team since Vernon in 1990 and 1991 to repeat as national Junior A champions, while a win at the RBC Cup will make the Vipers the winningest team in tournament history, with five national titles. Three of the five competing teams have previously won the National Junior A Championship (Humboldt – 2003, 2008; Vernon – 1990, 1991, 1996, 1999; Summerside – 1997). Kingston and Victoria are both making their debut at the national championship.
The gold medal game on Sunday, May 10 will be broadcast live on TSN at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. It will be shown on tape delay on RDS on Monday, May 11 at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT. Check your local listings for the broadcast time in your area.
In addition, all 10 round-robin games, along with both semifinals on Friday, May 8, will be available via webcast through the British Columbia Hockey League. Individual games will be available for $7.95 each. CLICK HERE to watch games from the 2009 RBC Cup.
Prior to tournament’s opening game between Victoria and Humboldt on Saturday, May 2, the opening ceremonies of the 2009 RBC Cup will be held at Bear Mountain Arena, beginning at 5 p.m. PT. As well, on Friday night, May 1, the 2009 RBC Cup kick-off will be held, featuring a concert by Canadian rock band The Trews. Tickets are only $20 and can be purchased by calling the Victoria Grizzlies box office at 250-385-1555 or online at www.victoriagrizzlies.com.
Ticket packages and single-game tickets for the 2009 RBC Cup are available through the Victoria Grizzlies box office at 250-385-1555 or info@victoriagrizzlies.com, or can be purchased through the official website of the Victoria Grizzlies at www.victoriagrizzlies.com. Full-tournament ticket packages can be purchased for $239, while single-game tickets start at $18 each.
For more information on the 2009 RBC Cup, visit www.hockeycanada.ca/rbccup.
