CHL Commissioners Conclude Visit

Brandon, MB. – The three Commissioners of Canada’s Major Junior Hockey Leagues, including Canadian Hockey League President David Branch concluded their 2-day site tour and came away pleased with the Local Host Committee’s preparations for the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

Branch, who also serves as Commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League, visited Brandon this week and in addition to meetings with the Local Host Organizing Committee, conducted tours throughout the city.

Besides visiting Brandon’s major hotels, Branch, who was joined by Western Hockey League Commissioner Ron Robison and Commissioner Gilles Courteau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, toured the entire Keystone Centre complex including Westman Place as well as the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium that will serve as site of the 2010 CHL Awards Ceremony.

The contingent, which included WHL Vice President Richard Doerksen, arrived on Tuesday and were the guests of the Local Committee at the February 9 game that saw the Wheat Kings score a 6-2 victory over the visiting Regina Pats.

The 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup, which will be hosted in the province of Manitoba for the first time ever, will be held from May 14-23rd.

The Host Wheat Kings will be vying for the Memorial Cup for the fifth time in franchise history, but the first since 1996. Besides ’96, Brandon has attended Memorial Cup tournaments in 1995, 1979 and 1949.