Drumroll please … (updated)

Published 6:35 pm Wednesday, October 15, 2008

… And the 2010 Memorial Cup is awarded to …

Brandon, Manitoba.

(A quick thanks to CKLQ radio in Brandon for the streaming internet coverage of the press conference)

So no joy for Everett, though the Tips were resigned to result ahead of time.

More later.

—- UPDATE 6:35 p.m.

So how resigned were the Tips to losing out to Brandon? Well, after the Wheat Kings made their presentation (they went first), both Everett and Kelowna withdrew their bids and threw their support behind Brandon, making it a unanimous vote.

During a teleconference, WHL commissioner cited three primary reasons for Brandon’s victory. First, the Wheat Kings have been a steadfast member of the league for 42 years and have never hosted the tournament. Second, Brandon has a roster that looks capable of competing for the Memorial Cup next season. Third, the city of Brandon has pledged $2.5 million to upgrade the Keystone Centre to the necessary standard to host the event — adding a video scoreboard and luxury suites, upgrading the locker rooms and press box.

Robison also said there are issues and challenges with holding the Memorial Cup in the U.S., specifically mentioning sponsorship concerns. He said the CHL is working on that issue, but hasn’t completed anything yet.

So what does this mean for Everett’s chances of hosting the Cup in the future? Well, I haven’t been able to get ahold of Tips general manager Doug Soetaert yet, and tonight’s game is just about to start, so I’ll probably have to follow up on that tomorrow. But if they decide to go for it in 2013 they’ll at least have some time work on the complications.