Photo credit: Rebecca Le [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/85cde42b-6374-46a4-af94-094a89b90359.jpeg] Photo credit: Rebecca Le -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The finalists to host the 2027 Memorial Cup tournament have been named. The Guelph Storm and Kitchener Rangers, OHL rival organizations, have been announced as the two finalists. As per the CHL’s press release [https://chl.ca/article/guelph-storm-kitchener-rangers-named-finalists-to-host-the-2027-memorial-cup-presented-by-kubota-canada/], the finalists were determined by the 2027 Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee, an independent panel of five individuals with extensive experience across the sports landscape. This committee will also be responsible for selecting the winning bid. “Both communities are defined by devoted fan bases and a deep-rooted tradition in our game, and each has played an important role in shaping junior hockey’s history. The Memorial Cup continues to be a celebration of hockey excellence, community spirit, and national pride, and we are confident that either city would provide a fitting and exceptional stage for the 2027 tournament,” said President of the CHL Dan McKenzie. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Kitchener Rangers organization has hosted the Memorial Cup tournament four times (1962, 1975, 1984, 2008). They have also appeared in the event six times, winning the event back in 1982 and 2003. The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, or the “Aud” as many like to call it, is one of the best junior hockey rinks in the entire CHL, and Kitchener fans are regarded as some of the loudest fans in junior hockey. Their rivals, on the other hand, the Guelph Storm, have hosted the Memorial Cup tournament once, back in 2002. However, they did co-host the event in 1962 with Kitchener. Guelph has competed six times for the Memorial Cup (1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2014, 2019), attending the event four times in a span of just nine seasons. The last OHL organization to host the Memorial Cup was the Saginaw Spirit in 2024. How could anyone forget that crazy final game between Saginaw and the London Knights? Josh Bloom went hero for the host city, scoring the game-winner with just 21 seconds left to play in the third period, earning Saginaw’s first Memorial Cup trophy [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/game-day/the-saginaw-spirit-have-won-the-memorial-cup-josh-bloom-is-the-hero-getting-the-final-say-against-the-london-knights] in franchise history. According to Jeff Marek via X [https://x.com/JeffMarek/status/1963603304140730663], both the Kingston Frontenacs and Niagara IceDogs organizations applied to host the 2027 event as well. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. Latest OHL News: Rangers Head Coach Jussi Ahokas Has NHL Teams Intrigued [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/fae89b19-a971-46d5-bb7f-6cba33cfb4ff.webp] Rangers Head Coach Jussi Ahokas Has NHL Teams Intrigued Kitchener Rangers’ Jussi Ahokas became the first European head coach in OHL history when he joined the franchise in 2023. He’s entering his third season behind the bench for the blueshirts, and is coming off a 47-15-6 season where he took home the 2024-25 Matt Leyden Trophy for <a href="https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/jussi-ahokas-awarded-matt-leyden-trophy-as-ohl-coach-of-the-year/">OHL Coach of the Year</a>. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/rangers-head-coach-jussi-ahokas-has-nhl-teams-intrigued] Expanded Coach's Challenge Review System Coming To The OHL; Summary Of New 2025-26 Rule Changes [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3259000a-210c-446c-9973-7844f6eac1b7.webp] Expanded Coach's Challenge Review System Coming To The OHL; Summary Of New 2025-26 Rule Changes The OHL has implemented six rule changes for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The league has partnered up with a Swedish sports tech company named <a href="https://www.spiideo.com/">Spiideo</a>. Their technology is deployed in over 6,000 venues, including the NHL, NBA, and top-tier soccer leagues such as the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/expanded-coach-s-challenge-review-system-coming-to-the-ohl-summary-of-new-2025-26-rule-changes] Sebastian Dell'Elce Excited About New Chapter In Niagara, Drawing Inspiration From Older Brother [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ff05c78f-8eac-4545-b331-3db66c30164b.webp] Sebastian Dell'Elce Excited About New Chapter In Niagara, Drawing Inspiration From Older Brother As the Niagara IceDogs get set to open up their 2025 pre-season against the Flint Firebirds on Saturday, Aug. 30, the pack will have several new faces in their lineup. There will be eyes on <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/niagara-icedogs-sign-exciting-talented-top-10-pick-ryerson-edgar">2025 first-rounder Ryerson Edgar</a> and recently acquired <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/vancouver-canucks-prospect-riley-patterson-dealt-from-barrie-to-niagara-following-trade-request">Vancouver Canucks prospect Riley Patterson</a>. However, the organization has a new member on their blueline who is ready to follow in his older brother’s footsteps. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/sebastian-dell-elce-excited-about-new-chapter-in-niagara-drawing-inspiration-from-older-brother]
