Former Raider Craig McCallum has torn up the ice at past Senators Cups. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Senators Cup

Senators Cup finally returning to the Art Hauser Centre for what promises to be ‘huge’ tournament

Mar 24, 2022 | 5:00 PM

The Senators Cup has been a mainstay in Prince Albert for showing off some of the best hockey talent from Indigenous communities across the province and in Western Canada.

But it’s been forced out of the spotlight in recent years.

The COVID-19 pandemic swallowed up the 2020 and 2021 editions, forcing them to be cancelled.

In 2019, most hockey fans were happily distracted by the Prince Albert Raiders, who were beating the Saskatoon Blades in the second round on their way to the WHL Championship that year. In 2018, the Senators Cup was largely derailed by the bus crash tragedy involving the Humboldt Broncos. The tournament continued that year, but only after a heartfelt ceremony to honour those lost.

This year, the Senators Cup will return to Art Hauser Centre this weekend and will take up all the ice the rink has to offer. They’ve booked off all the ice from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, to fit in the 16-team tournament. The first game on the ice is the Peguis Red Wings against the Lac La Ronge 89’ers, 9 a.m. on Friday.

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“It’s going to be huge,” said Geoff Despins, director of urban services for the Prince Albert Grand Council. “It’s huge for Prince Albert, the Prince Albert Grand Council, surrounding communities, and teams coming from Alberta, Manitoba, and all across Saskatchewan. It’s a huge tournament…It’s going to bring a lot of fans, a lot of spectators, and a lot of visitors to Prince Albert. Let’s fill the rink.”

Although not all the rosters have been in yet, there have been some big-time players that have played in the tournament, like two-time Stanley Cup-winning Dwight King, and his tough brother and fellow NHL’er D.J. King. Former Raider great Craig McCallum, as well as Wacey Rabbit, Jon ‘Nasty’ Mirasty, and Colton Yellow Horn to name a few, have also played in past tournaments.

Day passes for each day are $10. The tournament winners will take home the grand prize of $20,000.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW