It has been no secret that the Estevan Bruins would bid for the 2016 Western Canada Cup, but it became official on the weekend as the three contenders were finalized at the SJHL's annual meetings.
The Bruins, Yorkton Terriers and Melville Millionaires all expressed interest in bidding for the event during the meetings in Nipawin.
The Western Canada Cup began in 2013. It brings together the champions of the four western Junior A leagues, along with the host team, to determine the two teams that will move on to the RBC Cup.
Prior to the tournament's creation, the Saskatchewan and Manitoba champions played a best-of-seven series for the Anavet Cup, while the Alberta and British Columbia champs played for the Doyle Cup.
Bruins head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood said the thought of Estevan winning the right to host the WCC is exciting.
"I think it'll be huge for Estevan. With the Summer Games coming in 2016, I think it could be a summer for the ages for Estevan, for the sports community. It would really boost the economy and give us a starting point to host more events down the road. You start to look at the curling worlds or any number of things, really."
Bids from the three teams are due early in the fall and the governors from the other nine SJHL teams will decide which club will host.
Lewgood said the work has begun on the bid, but that there is a lot yet to be done. He and Bruins director of player personnel Cole Zahn attended this year's tournament in Dauphin, Man., "to take it in and do a bit of learning as to what it takes to put on a successful Western Canada Cup. Dauphin did just that, and we've been working with them on that.
"We've started to put our committee together, and we have a good group of people. It's a starting point, anyway. There's a lot of work to do yet, but we're pretty excited about how it's started."
Lewgood said he expects strong bids from Yorkton and Melville.
"It's just going to take a lot of hard work. We know they're going to have solid bids each. It's just important that we dig in and call everyone in the community and put a better one in."
The crown jewel of the Bruins' bid will be Affinity Place, which is widely seen as the SJHL's best arena. The rink played host to the SJHL Showcase in 2011.
"I think it's something our league's going to want to showcase. I think the SJHL has a lot of good things going for it right now, a lot of momentum, and I think to host it in Estevan would be another tremendous showcase for the league," said Lewgood.
"The people of Estevan are very community-oriented, and our volunteer base has been tremendous. I think Estevan will embrace it and not only show up to help put it on as volunteers but also fill the seats."
Lewgood said it will be important to establish strong financial support for the bid from the corporate community, as well as through things like government grants.
"The corporate community is going to play a big role in this, just like they have the last several years," he said.
"Beyond that, you look at things like ticket packages. We plan to be very aggressive with our ticket packages. We want to make sure people are going to come out and support it and enjoy it.
"There will be community events and non-hockey related entertainment that goes along with it, more things for the people of Estevan to be excited about."
