Valor Cup University Hockey Tournament, Pacific Coliseum, 1998
Tournament direction


Believing Canadian university hockey to be Canada's best amateur hockey, and knowing that it was undervalued both by the media and by Canadian hockey fans, Vancouver businessman Ken Megale determined to create a tournament intended to promote, honour and financially support Canadian University Hockey. In the spring of 1998 he began to investigate the feasibility of putting together such a tournament and invited the McGill Redmen, University of Toronto Blues, University of Saskatchewan Huskies and the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds to participate in the inaugural tournament, scheduled for late December in the Pacific Coliseum. In September Lamont Management's Hamilton McClymont joined the organization as Tournament Director.

Three components made up the tournament organization

Hockey

- A committee comprised of representatives of the Canada West and Ontario Conferences of the CIAU, the Tournament Referee-in-Chief, one of the four coaches and chaired by the Tournament Director dealt with all the hockey and disciplinary issues. A high priority was established for game support elements, especially sound quality. John Ashbridge (the rinkside announcer for the Vancouver Canucks) shared the announce duties with his CKNW colleague Kevin Hayes.

Marketing

- Paul Mercs Entertainment Consultants, a firm with a great deal of experience in marketing events at the Coliseum and in the Vancouver market, created and implemented a marketing plan which ensured that anyone in the Vancouver area who cared about hockey would know the Valor Cup was on. The campaign earned the praise of professional and sports marketing people. The Hockey Hall of Fame made the Stanley Cup available to help promote the tournament.

Logistics and Administration

- Travel, accommodation, local transportation and administrative details were managed by a small and effective team, supported by volunteers.

In the final analysis, the tournament achieved two of its three objectives. University hockey was well promoted. The tournament was first class, and honoured the skill and commitment of the athletes in every way. Regrettably, the Valor Cup was not able to make a financial contribution to university hockey. Attendance was low and revenue was insufficient to produce a profit.

Nevertheless, the tournament was great experience for those who took part.

"... thanks for the wonderful tournament you ran with unruffled friendliness and efficiency." Gavin Ross, McGill University
"... the classiest, most prestigious and most sought after Christmas hockey tournament in all of Canada." Bill Seymour, Canada West Hockey
" The Valor Cup was extremely well organized; it was by far the best tournament we have been to in a long time." Darren Lowe, Coach, Varsity Blues Men's Hockey

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies beat the UBC Thunderbirds 4-3 in the final to win the first Valor Cup.