CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada announced on Thursday that four groups have submitted bids to host the 2008 RBC Royal Bank Cup, Canada’s National Junior A Hockey Championship. Hockey Canada received bids from the following groups (in alphabetical order):

Camrose Kodiaks - Camrose, Alberta – The bid is endorsed by Hockey Alberta, the Alberta Junior Hockey League, and chaired by Kevin Gurr, franchise owner of Boston Pizza

Kindersley Klippers – Kindersley, Saskatchewan – The bid is endorsed by the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, and co-chaired by Rod Perkins, Partner with Close Perkins & Hauta Chartered Accountants and Mark Millar, Partner with Sheppard & Millar, Barristers & Solicitors

Cornwall Colts – Cornwall, Ontario – The bid is endorsed by the Ottawa District Hockey Association, the Central Junior “A” Hockey League and chaired by Matt Jacobs, owner of the Cornwall Colts Hockey Club

Winnipeg South Blues – Winnipeg, Manitoba – The bid is endorsed by Hockey Manitoba, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and chaired by Dean Cockell, President of the Winnipeg South Blues

All bids will be reviewed prior to March 31st, 2006 by the Site Selection Committee made up of Vice President Hockey Operations, Scott Smith, Hockey Canada Officer on the Junior Hockey Council, Marcel Redekop and President of the Canadian Junior ‘A’ Hockey League, Paul Lake. The site selection committee will review all bids and compile a short list for in person bid presentations.

“Hockey Canada is very pleased with the number and quality of the bid submissions for the 2008 event. The interest in hosting the RBC Royal Bank Cup continues to grow due to the great work of previous Host Committees, our Junior Council and the Branches of Hockey Canada” said Scott Smith.

The host of the 2008 RBC Royal Bank Cup will be announced following the 2006 Hockey Canada Annual General Meeting in St. John’s, Newfoundland where the Site Selection Committee will put forward its recommendation to Junior Council who will in turn review and put forth its recommendation for approval by Hockey Canada’s Board of Directors.