If the Nanaimo Clippers want to play in the 2021 Royal Bank Cup, they’ll need to earn their way there.
According to a club press release, the Clippers have been advised by Hockey Canada that they will not be selected to host the 2021 national junior A championship tournament.
“Hockey Canada said this time there were a lot of great bids and it wasn’t an easy decision,” said Tali Campbell, Clippers director of business operations, in a press release.
The Clippers’ bid committee had representatives from the team and the City of Nanaimo, Tourism Nanaimo, the Nanaimo Hospitality Association and other volunteers.
“At the end of the day, simply sucks to not get this event. When receiving the news, the only thing I wanted to do was lock my office and just sit there,” Campbell said. “With that being said, though, it amazed me that so many community members came together to put this package together. It truly showed how amazing our city really is.”
He said he hopes the hockey club will apply again in the future.
Hockey Canada has not yet announced the successful host community.
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