PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man. – Canada’s National Junior A Championship (Centennial Cup) is returning to Portage la Prairie, Man., for the first time since 2015, where the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) will play host to the 51st edition of the tournament from May 11-21, 2023 at the 2,035-seat Stride Place.
The 2023 Centennial Cup represents a partnership between Hockey Canada, the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), MJHL and Hockey Manitoba. The 2023 event will be a 10-team tournament, with the host Terriers welcoming the champions of the nine CJHL leagues.
“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to bring Canada’s National Junior A Championship back to Portage la Prairie after the success we enjoyed in 2015, and for the continued support from local organizations and community members of our efforts to bring national events to the city,” said Dale Deschouwer, chair of the local host committee.
Canada’s National Junior A Championship will return to the province where the original Centennial Cup was created in 1971. It will mark the sixth time Manitoba has welcomed the event; it was previously hosted in Portage la Prairie (2015), Dauphin (2010), Flin Flon (2001), Winnipeg (1973 and 1992) and Brandon (1973).
The Portage Terriers have appeared at Canada’s National Junior A Championship six times (1973, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019) and have captured the national title twice. The Terriers most recently won in 2015 when Portage la Prairie first hosted the event, and claimed their first national championship in 1973 when Brandon and Winnipeg welcomed the championship to the province for the first time.
“The City of Portage la Prairie has proven to be an excellent host for Canada’s National Junior A Championship, and the Portage Terriers are proven competitors in the national championship with two titles in franchise history,” stated Andy Harkness, president of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. “Based on the success of the event in 2015, fans and teams can expect to be treated to an outstanding experience. We look forward to welcoming Canada’s top CJHL teams and hockey fans back to Portage la Prairie in May 2023.”
There are 20 games that will highlight preliminary-round play at the Centennial Cup from May 11-17. Quarter-final play will begin on May 19 with the Championship game taking place on May 21.
Full Tournament packages are available December 16 starting at 9 a.m. at Stride Place Reception. You can also visit Monday – Friday: 8 a.m.- 9 p.m., or Saturday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Online purchases can made via the following online TICKET LINK.
The full schedule for the 2023 Centennial Cup will be announced at a later date.
For more information on the 2023 Centennial Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook or Twitter.