CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has unveiled the official tournament schedule for the 2023 Centennial Cup, set for May 11-21 in Portage la Prairie, Man., marking the third time the city has hosted Canada’s National Junior A Championship.
The event is a partnership between Hockey Canada, the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), Hockey Manitoba and the City of Portage la Prairie. The 2023 tournament, the 51st edition, will be a 10-team tournament, with the host Portage Terriers welcoming the champions of the nine CJHL leagues.
“On behalf of the local tournament organizing committee, the City of Portage la Prairie and the Portage Terriers, we are excited to be hosting Canada’s National Junior A Championship in our community again,” said tournament chair Dale Deschouwer. “We know this will be 11 days of exciting hockey and look forward to the opportunity to showcase our city and surrounding region. We invite the entire country to come and cheer for your favourite team and to experience our hospitality.”
Twenty games highlight preliminary-round play at the Centennial Cup, beginning May 11 when the champions of the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) meet at 11:30 a.m. CT. That game is followed by the Maritime Hockey League (MHL) and Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) at 3:30 p.m. CT, with the champions from the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and MJHL wrapping up the opening day at 7:30 p.m. CT.
“With our nine member-league playoffs rapidly approaching, we look forward to seeing who will be crowned champions and join the host Portage Terriers at the Centennial Cup,” offered CJHL president Andy Harkness.
The host Terriers begin their quest for their third national championship on May 12 when they face off against their provincial rivals from the MJHL in their tournament opener. The quarterfinals and semifinals are set for May 19 and 20, followed by the championship game on May 21. TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners will broadcast the final, with all preliminary- and playoff-round games livestreamed at HockeyCanada.ca.
“The Centennial Cup features the best Junior A hockey in the country and gives fans the opportunity to watch each of the CJHL’s league champions,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of events and properties for Hockey Canada. “It is an exciting time to announce the schedule and be one step closer to one of Canada’s most prestigious national championships.”
Tickets are on sale for the 2023 Centennial Cup; fans can purchase a full-tournament package, including all 25 games, for $250 at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.
