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RBC Cup Opening Ceremonies Update

Host team Chilliwack Chiefs and the 2018 RBC Cup organizing committee are working tirelessly to achieve their goals of hosting the most successful event in the tournament’s history.

Canada’s top junior hockey teams will converge in Chilliwack, starting with the Opening Ceremonies on Saturday, May 12 at 7:00pm, when the Chiefs host Team Pacific. During the evening game all five participating teams and officials will be celebrated on-ice in a ceremony including the popular Sardis Drumline. Juno award-winning jazz performing artist, Bria Skonberg, originally from Chilliwack, will be on-hand to sing the National Anthem.

“The RBC Cup has been an exciting project, two years in the making for our Host Committee and its partners Tourism Chilliwack, the City of Chilliwack, and Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe Management,” says RBC Cup host committee co-chair David Jimmie. “The energy has been growing in our community since we announced our bid for this event and it will only be stronger as the tournament gets underway May 12 and visitors experience the games and the activities surrounding the RBC Cup.”

Following the tragedy involving the Humboldt Broncos’ bus, organizers of the RBC Cup have included a theme of support for the Saskatchewan team in the event venue and as part of the Opening Ceremonies. Rinkboards with #HumboldtStrong will be installed, along with the same hashtag in an ice graphic behind each of the nets. Players from all participating teams will have a decal on their helmets with the Broncos’ logo, and coaches will wear a ribbon in the team colours on their lapels. A green ribbon has been placed in the centre ice face-off circle dot for the duration of the tournament. As well, green tee shirts with a #HumboldtStrong design will be given to all fans in attendance at the opening night game, May 12. Organ donor registration and blood donation information booths will be on the concourse.

Of note, two special guests will participate in the Opening Ceremonies. At the invitation of the RBC Cup Host Committee, Humboldt Broncos’ president Kevin Garinger and assistant general manager Jason Neville will be in attendance.

“It will be an honour to welcome Kevin and Jason to Chilliwack for the opening weekend of the tournament,” says RBC Cup host committee co-chair Ken Popove. “May 12 will be an opportunity for our community, as well as representatives from junior hockey across Canada, to come together in a show of love and support for the Humboldt team.”

The 2018 RBC Cup begins in Chilliwack with a 2:00 game between Team Central and Team East. Attendees are encouraged to visit The Beer Garden at RBC Cup, located on the secondary ice surface at Prospera Centre, before the afternoon game and in between it and the start of the Opening Ceremonies at 7:00pm. Appaloosa, Trevor McDonald, and R&B Allstars are scheduled to perform on the entertainment stage throughout the day.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.hockeycanada.ca/rbccup or call (604) 702-0062.