Estevan Bears looking to host U18 AAA west regional in 2026

ESTEVAN — The Estevan Great North U18 AAA Bears are looking to bring some additional high-level minor hockey to the Energy City in 2026.

During a July 30 press conference at Affinity Place, the Bears announced their intention to submit a bid to host the Telus Cup West Regional tournament, slated for April 2-5, 2026. It brings the U18 AAA league champions from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario together; the host team rounds out the field. 

If the host team wins a league title, then that league's runner-up is the fourth team. The winner of the west regional advances to the Telus Cup national U18 AAA tournament.

The west regional alternates between the three provinces, and Saskatchewan's turn to host comes up next year.

"This is a great opportunity for our organization and for the city of Estevan to bring three other elite teams here with a chance to win a national championship," said Bears' president Blake Jamieson.

The bid package is coming together well, he said. The Bears' organization has been working on it for a couple months. The deadline to apply is Aug. 22, and Jamieson said the club is slated to find out Sept. 8 if the bid is successful. Jamieson said he hasn't heard if any other teams have applied.

The Bears' executive has reached out to people who were involved with the 2022 Centennial Cup national junior A hockey championship in Estevan, as well as those from Warman who were involved with west regionals in that city in 2023.

"We've reached out to lots of people in the community to get some support that way, and people with the city and the hotels and restaurants," said Jamieson.

Assistant coach Jason Johnstone said it appears the Bears will have a strong team for the upcoming season. He believes about half of last year's team is eligible to return, but some potential returnees might not be back, including defenceman Cameron Allard, who was named a Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League first-team all-star last season but is expected to skate with the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings in 2025-26.

Johnstone believes this has been the Bears' best season for recruiting.

"We got all the players we pretty much wanted to get," said Johnstone.

The team's appearances in the playoffs the past two years has helped, Johnstone said. He and Bears head coach/GM Ryan Pilon have spent a lot of time meeting with and talking to potential recruits.  

If the Bears were to be awarded the tournament, they would go with the players they have in place for the upcoming season.

Johnstone believes hosting the tournament would be a big boost for the organization.

"I think in the last three years, we've really improved how things are going player-wise and team-wise, and I really think an opportunity like this would really showcase the team, the city and the facility as well. It's probably the nicest facility in Saskatchewan," said Johnstone.

Ticket packages for the tournament are now available, Jamieson said. Season ticket holders for the Bears will receive exclusive early access and pricing for packages. No money would be exchanged on tournament passes until after the host site is announced.

The Bears are entering their fifth full season in the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League. They have made the playoffs the past two campaigns, and pushed the 2025 league finalists, the Moose Jaw Generals, to a full five-game series in the first round of the playoffs.

"Since their establishment, the Estevan Bears have remained committed to developing young athletes both on and off the ice," said Jamieson. "With strong community support and a state-of-the-art facility at Affinity Place, the Bears organization is ready to bring this national-calibre event to southeast Saskatchewan."

The event would be a showcase of the city, program and hospitality of the community, he said.

"We believe Estevan is more than capable of delivering a first-class experience to the players, families and fans alike," he said.