ESTEVAN — The Estevan Innovex U18 AAA Bears Hockey Club says it is proud of the bid submitted to host the 2026 Telus Cup West Regionals tournament.
The Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League announced in a press release that the Regina Pat Canadians have been named the tournament's host team. Estevan and Moose Jaw also submitted bids.
The Bears said in their own news release that Estevan’s bid earned high praise throughout the process. Feedback from the selection committee highlighted an “excellent” bid presentation, the Bears said, and Estevan ranked first overall in the volunteer and venue sections, and the legacy items were all well received. According to a press release, overall excitement and community enthusiasm for hosting in Estevan were rated very high.
“We were extremely proud of the bid we submitted,” said Bears’ governor Blake Jamieson. “It was a 48-page document that showcased our community, our facilities and our people.
“The support we received was incredible. The City of Estevan and city council were tremendous partners in this process, and the many letters of support we received from local organizations and businesses were greatly appreciated. You could feel the buzz; people were genuinely excited about the chance to host an event of this calibre.”
Jamieson noted that while the result was disappointing, the process brought value to Estevan.
“It helped create momentum for hockey in the community and reinforced our profile in Saskatchewan. When the opportunity comes again in three years, we’ll definitely look at submitting another bid.”
The Bears extended their gratitude to the bid committee, the City of Estevan, Estevan city council, community partners, and all organizations and individuals who supported the process.
“Estevan has proven that we have the people, the facilities and the passion to host major events,” Jamieson said. “We wish the Regina Pat Canadians all the best in hosting the 2026 Telus Cup West Regionals.”
According to the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League, an independent adjudication panel awarded the tournament to Regina.
Established in 1971, the Regina Pat Canadians are the reigning Telus Cup national champions.
Regina’s successful submission secured $80,000 in funding support, including $50,000 in corporate sponsorships, along with commitments for 400 tournament passes and $76,000 dedicated to legacy projects.
Legacy projects include support for the development of young officials and the further development of female hockey. The legacy disbursements also include money for the Outdoor Hockey League for underprivileged youths in Regina.
The Telus Cup West Regional is April 2-5, 2026, with the Pat Canadians hosting the top team from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northern Ontario.
