Memorial Cup week kicks off in Saginaw, MI

The coveted Memorial Cup has arrived in Michigan.

Opening ceremonies for what’s called the Canadian Hockey League’s biggest week were held in Saginaw on Thursday.

Hockey fans lined the streets to watch a parade featuring the trophy and players.

Action gets underway Friday at the annual four-team tournament to decide the CHL’s winner.

In addition to the host Saginaw Spirit from the Ontario Hockey League, participating teams are the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League, the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, and the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.

Bridgewater’s Luke Woodworth is captain of the QMJHL’s Voltigeurs.

The Volt’s will play the London Knights when their tournament begins Saturday.

Last year, the Québec Remparts defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 5-0 in the final to win the CHL’s top prize in Kamloops.

According to the CHL’s website, the Q League has now won four straight Memorial Cup titles, “the most of any league in the CHL since the tournament switched over to a round-robin format in 1972.”

The 2024 Memorial Cup will mark the first time the CHL’s championship event has been held in the United States in 26 years.