'I like our chances:' Regina Pats in contention to host 2018 Memorial Cup

The Regina Pats are one step closer in their bid to host the 2018 Memorial Cup.

The Canadian Hockey League announced its shortlist to host the league’s championship tournament and it includes the Pats, the Oshawa Generals and the Hamilton Bulldogs.

The 2018 Memorial Cup will be the 100th edition of the national championship. Coincidentally, it will also be the Pats 100th anniversary.

“I like our chances, I like our story,” said Pats co-owner Anthony Marquart on Tuesday morning.

He added the Pats history alone can’t put them over the edge in the bid. 

“It’s also a celebration of 100 years of hockey in Canada and that’s the goal and the focus of the Canadian Hockey League – celebrating this 100 years.”

The Pats, including Marquart, Shaun Semple, the chair of Regina’s host organizing committee, and several others will make a presentation to the national selection committee in January, but before that the Pats will have to renew their lease with the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL).

The lease expired earlier this year and the Pats ownership as well as REAL are still working towards a new deal. 

Marquart said a deal has to be worked out by the end of November, but declined to say what the consequences for the bid could be if a new lease isn’t agreed to in time. 

“We’re not focused on that right now, we’re focused on working with REAL an getting this across the finish line,” he said. “We don’t think we’re that far apart so we’re definitely optimistic.” 

A decision on the 2018 host city will be announced by the CHL in February.