“Originally donated by the Ontario Hockey Association in 1919 to honour the national champions of junior hockey in Canada, the Memorial Cup trophy was dedicated in memory of all Canadians killed in World War One. Canadians hope, at that time that “the War to end all Wars” would result in the end of conflict. Sadly, we all know Canada has found itself at war many times since that time. Many thousands more Canadians have fallen in wars and peacekeeping efforts since the First World War ended. It is fitting to remember their sacrifices as we celebrate our national game, because these brave men and women allowed us to live in peace and security to enjoy sports such as the Memorial Cup hockey championship in our great country.” 
“It is the sacrifice of these Canadians that has allowed our nation to prosper in freedom and security. It is time that we remind ourselves to whom the Cup is dedicated. I can think of no more fitting place to do this than here at CFB Shilo, surrounded by the men and women who are being called upon today to risk their lives for their country.”
“Therefore, on behalf of the CHL Board of Directors and our 60 member Clubs, it is with great respect and gratitude that we rededicate the Memorial Cup to the memory of all fallen Canadian Military Personnel.”
Story here and video of the ceremony at this link.
That’s pretty special. Kudos to the Canadian Hockey League.
Don Cherry has made mention of the Memorial Cup and the meaning behind it on Coach’s Corned frequently the last while.
Good for the CHL . That was an inspirational speech by the League President,copies of it should be sent to all the politicians who seem to have a fear and dislike of our military.
You know who I mean.
My hat is off to all the fallen Canadian hero’s from WW1. My grandfather served in the US service. From south of the 49th.
Awesome. The Shilo base has lost a lot of soldiers in Afghanistan. The roads leading to the base were loaded with yellow ribbons the last time I was there … a very clear reminder that the families there feel the cost deeply.
Great vid and perfect setting for the dedication.
My Dad and his brother went through basic boot camp training at Shilo before they were shipped off to Britain in WWII.
My Dads Uncle was killed in action Nov 8/1918
My grandfather was with him when he was killed, My grandfather was in from the start to the end.
he passed away in 1956, He was found dead in Toronto on a park bench. My grandmother always said that he was just never the same when he returned from the first war. He became an alcoholic a loner & very abusive to his wife & children, Dad said one day he just up & left & a few yrs later gramma got the call from the Toronto police. They found his wallet on him, dad said he & his Older brother(who was wounded in Italy WWII)went to retrieve the body & belongings The wallet was intact With his brothers Picture inside when you opened it & a pic of the 2 of them in uniform next to it.
Grampa is buried in the Royal Canadian Legion Plots in Owen Sounds Greenwood Cemetary. My Great Uncle is Buried in France.
We Will Remember Them
When you step out into the storm make sure the ice is at least 30 cm deep…
“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
John 15:13-14
And besides Don Cherry says he would invest in an NHL team in Winnipeg.
Keep your stick on the ice…
Cheers
Hans-Christian Georg Rupprecht, Commander in Chief
1st Saint Nicolaas Army
Army Group “True North”
Thanks Kate. I din’t know why it was called the Memorial Cup.
Great stuff! Thanks for that bit of history/culture, Kate. Like Jamie, I had no idea why it was called Memorial cup.
The Stanley Cup finals are not catching my attention this year. I’ll be following the Memorial Cup now.
I think that romanticizing about the glory of war is awesome too.
Thanks for the post!
“We the willing, have done so much, for so long, for the ungrateful, that now we can can do anything with nothing.”
Do not ask..for whom the bell tolls…it tolls for thee……….
A few days past I learned that 72 WW2 Vets were among Vancouver’s “homeless”.
I almost wept….
What a wonderful tribute to the brave men who fought in WWI. Thank-you for the Link, Kate.
Of note is an interesting connection to the Magnificent Joseph W. Boyle who sponsored, equipped and accompanied a Dawson City hockey team to challenge the Ottawa Senators for the Stanley Cup in 1905. The team did not win (they traveled 7 weeks to get there and were forced to play one day after they arrived) but they were heroes in the Klondike. Joe Boyle was a self made millionaire and he built an indoor hockey arena in Dawson City so the city could hold sporting events.
In 1915 Joe Boyle paid for a Dawson Battalion of armoured cars and troops to go to Europe to fight in WWI. He was rejected for service because he was considered too old to serve but he went over anyway and found a job with the American Expeditionary Force, stationed in London, England. He traveled to Russia and untangled their transport mess in the railway yard enabling troops and ammo and food to reach the Russian Frount (giving the allies time to re-organize before the Eastern frount collapsed), he saved Romania from starvation and Communism, he pioneered the spy network working in the Soviet Union (Joe was the ACE of spies!) Joe was decorated by five nations but never even recognized by Canada or Great Britain. Joe and Winston Churchill both condemned the Treaty of Versailles and both said Communism would destroy all civilization if it was not stopped.
Joe Boyle died in 1923 at the age of 57.