Quote:
Originally Posted by 604flames
I haven't followed the WHL as closely this year, but seems to me it could be a pretty even field this year.
Also, I'd like to add how nice it is to have the tournament in Brandon. It means the smaller-market teams in the CHL have a legitimate shot of hosting the tourney, and places like Brandon, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Kamloops etc. shouldn't be left out of the loop when it comes to hosting big events (although I see next year's event will be in Mississauga.. weak).
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I can tell you first hand the WHL is not happy about having it in Brandon this year. They were essentially handed the tournament by default due to the lack of serious competition for hosting. Everett and Kelowna were the only other teams to bid on it with both teams not exactly contenders . The league will probably only go back to the US for a host if there are no other option due to the amount of sponsorship money Canadian companies are spending on the tournament. They have no interest in having it go south to advertise for people who can't even purchase from the various companies.Then you have Kelowna who wasn't going to get it for the simple fact they hosted in '04.
Don't get me wrong, the tournament is going to be a great success and I think the people of Brandon will turn alot of heads next week with how well they host it. At the same time, the WHL is going to go where the money is and that is definitely in the larger media markets.
I agree though, it would be good to see this become the start of something new.