2014 RBC Cup Group "Cautiously Optimistic"

This is posted on the vernoncentral.ca website:

RBC Cup Group "Cautiously Optimistic"

RBC Cup Bid Committee

March 31 2012

Mike Lane, Co-chair of the committee vying to host the 2014 RBC Cup in Vernon, is cautiously optimistic that the committee’s March 28 presentation to Hockey Canada will help achieve the group’s goal.

“It went well, I think,” said Lane. “We identified six main factors that contribute to successful events of this sort and provided evidence that Vernon excels in

each of these categories.  Is it enough? We’ll know at the end of May when the bid is announced.”

One of the group’s main points is the passionate support that Vernon area hockey fans consistently demonstrate. That point, coupled with pent up demand for championship hockey in the Okanagan, was demonstrated by a closing video sequence.

The video showed various views of Cam Sylven’s overtime winning goal when the Vernon Lakers defeated the heavily favoured News Westminster Royals at a packed Civic Arena in 1990. Those views, taken from TSN’s pioneering coverage of the then-Centennial Cup, was intercut with  comments by fans who were at that game and who’d love to see the event return to Vernon.

Joining Lane in the presentation team were Patrick Nicol, Betty Chan Klepp, and Don Klepp. “Don took the lead,” says Lane, “but Patrick was our star performer. He spoke eloquently about Vernon’s passion for the game, about strong fan support, and the amazing group of volunteers in the area.”

“We also made a point of wanting to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the CAHA and Hockey Canada. After all, we have plenty of history of our own here in the Okanagan. Having the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame here at the Wesbild Centre is a big plus.”

The presentation was held in Hockey Canada’s state-of-the-art new facility at Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park. Vernon’s group followed the group from Terrebonne, Quebec.

A poignant note was provided by 9-year-old Beamer Wigley, a Penticton resident who’s appearing in this year’s Our Kids Have Talent gala. Beamer has written a hockey song especially for the Vernon bid committee.

As Vernon RBC Cup group’s multimedia presentation drew to a close, a still photo of Cam Sylven’s winning shot was accompanied by Beamer singing “so come to Vernon, head to our rink, it’s hockey time tonight.”   

For the next step in the bid process, Vernon’s RBC Cup committee is preparing to answer follow-up questions from Hockey Canada’s selection committee.