The Allan Cup is coming to Lacombe!

The Lacombe Generals won the bid to host the top Senior Hockey tournament in the country at the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex in April of 2019.

Gens GM Jeff McInnis says the selection was because of somewhat of a perfect storm.

“I think we have the team, the facility, and the city.  We feel like Lacombe is the perfect venue for the tournament. It’s the right size, and there is a passion for our brand and team. A lot of times you’re having to sell the Allan Cup tournament to the town and sell it to the people of the community, whereas we’re pretty well known. So that fever pitch is special.”

McInnis drew comparisons to this year’s World Juniors Championship in Buffalo, where attendance was terrible, and officials were tasked with trying to convince the community it was worth watching.

While the Gens are perennial Allan Cup attendees already, McInnis hopes that with the news they’ll be hosting next year, the team will be easier to recruit.

“I hope it helps me. If I can get an extra hour of sleep at night I’d sure appreciate it. Something people must assume is that it’s easy. It’s not easy to recruit players in this league. It’s so hard to recruit men who have the right occupations, and are at the right time in their lives. So yes I think it will help, we just have to be smart about how we build our club.”

Although excitement looms for next season, the Generals still have their full focus on getting to this years Allan Cup in Rosetown.

Their journey continues tomorrow night when the welcome the Stony Plain Eagles to town for an 8 o’clock tilt.