Since its inception in 1919, the Memorial Cup has become the benchmark of excellence in junior hockey. Currently championship teams from each of three major junior hockey leagues: Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and the Quebec Hockey League(QMJHL) meet annually to battle it out for bragging rights and the Memorial Cup itself.
The History of the Championship
The Memorial Cup, named in honour of Canada’s WWI war dead, can trace its origins back to 1919, when it was donated to the then junior hockey champions of Canada. In those days, the Memorial Cup race was between Eastern and Western Canada.
Over the years, the format of the Memorial Cup changed from a two game, total points format to a best of three competition in 1928 and then to a tournament format (including the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL) in 1972.
In 1983, the tournament format was amended to include the host team; the Memorial Cup tournament this year was played in Portland, Oregon, marking the first time the junior hockey battle was played out outside of Canada.
Memorial Cup Champions from 1972
1972 – Cornwall Royals
1973 – Toronto Marlboros
1974 – Regina Pats
1975 – Toronto Marlboros
1976 – Hamilton Fincups
1977 – New Westminster Bruins
1978 – New Westminster Bruins
1979 – Peterborough Petes
1980 – Cornwall Royals
1981 – Cornwall Royals
1982 – Kitchener Rangers
1983 – Portland Winter Hawks
1984 – Ottawa 67’s
1985 – Prince Albert Raiders
1986 – Guelph Platers
1987 – Medicine Hat Tigers
1988 – Medicine Hat Tigers
1989 – Swift Current Broncos
1990 – Oshawa Generals
1991 – Spokane Chiefs
1992 – Kamloops Blazers
1993 – Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds
1994 – Kamloops Blazers
1995 – Kamloops Blazers
1996 – Granby Predateurs
1997 – Hull Olympiques
1998 – Portland Winter Hawks
1999 – Ottawa 67’s
2000 – Rimouski Oceanic
2001 – Red Deer Rebels
2002 – Kootenay Ice
2003 – Kitchener Rangers
2004 – Kelowna Rockets
2005 – London Knights
2006 – Quebec Remparts
2007 - Vancouver Giants
