The U18 AAA Telus Cup Regional Championship gets underway today (Thursday) with four teams trying to move onto the national championship in Calgary.

After a 2020, 2021 cancellation and a 2022 postponement, the Town of Virden, Southwest Cougars and 2022 Telus Cup Planning committee are excited to be a second-time host community with the first championship being hosted in 2012.

Clayton Murray heads up of the host committee and he’s excited to finally have hockey getting underway. ‘A lot of hard work has gone into this and we’re as ready as we’re going to be and I look forward to some great hockey.”

“We’ve had tremendous support from day one. We reached our fund raising goal very early on in our campaign and we’ve had nothing but continued success right through.”

The host Southwest Cougars hope for a strong showing in front of the hometown fans. President Dennis McNish says they exited the play-offs early but the team is eager to get onto the ice.

“A lot of work has gone into this and we’ve put in a lot of effort and the committee has worked hard to make sure we put on a first class event and I think we’ve done a great job.”

“Tickets are pretty much walk up and sure it’s too bad Brandon didn’t qualify to play here because that would have brought out more fans but it is what it is and this will be a well attended event and we look forward to the next few days.”