Abbott Cup

The Abbott Memorial Cup, commonly referred to as the Abbott Cup, is the Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey Championship for the Western Canadian leagues of the Canadian Junior A Hockey League.

The Cup was named after Captain E.L. (Hick) Abbott who was a noted hockey player in Western Canada. He captained the Regina Victorias when it won the Junior Championshipof Canada in 1913 and 1914. Captain Abbott died in active service in the
First World War and the trophy was presented in his memory in 1919 bythe Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Association and is awarded annuallyfor the championship of Junior "A" Hockey in Western Canada.

The Abbott Cup was donated to be awarded to the top Junior "A" hockey team in all of Western Canada (all junior teams were considered). In 1934 junior hockey was divided into Junior "A" and "B", with the Abbott Cup being awarded to the junior "A" Level. The Junior "B" Western Canadian Championship is the Keystone Cup

The Abbott Cup was a playoff round, a best of seven game series, between the BC/Alta Champions and Sask/Man Champions. They would then play off against the Eastern Canadian Champions, the winner of the George Richardson Memorial Trophy for the National Championship, The Memorial Cup.

After a realignment of junior hockey, in 1971, into 'Major Junior' and 'Tier II', the Abbott Cup was exclusively awarded to the 'Tier II' level. The winner would then go on to represent the West in the National Championship. The Major Junior Western Hockey League's Champion wins the President's Cup.

In 1991, at the Centennial Cup (National Championship), it became a one game playoff between the Doyle Cup winner and the Anavet Cup winner. Since then, the Abbott Cup has diminished in attention from the hockey community because of a realignment of regions for the National Championship, which led to the retirement of the Abbott Cup in 1999. It can now be found in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Champions 1991 to 1999

"Played for during the round robin of the Centennial Cup and Royal Bank Cup"

:1991 Vernon Lakers (BCJHL):1992 Vernon Lakers (BCJHL):1993 Kelowna Spartans (BCJHL):1994 Olds Grizzlys (AJHL) :1995 Winnipeg South Blues (MJHL) :1996 Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) :1997 South Surrey Eagles (BCHL):1998 South Surrey Eagles (BCHL):1999 Vernon Vipers (BCHL)

Champions 1971 to 1990

"1971 was the first year that the Tier I Western Hockey League teams were disallowed from competing for the Abbott Cup. From 1971, the Abbott Cup was exclusive to Tier II Junior "A" Hockey."

:1971 Red Deer Rustlers(AJHL) :1972 Red Deer Rustlers(AJHL) :1973 Portage Terriers(MJHL) :1974 Selkirk Steelers(MJHL) :1975 New Westminster Bruins (PCJHL):1976 Spruce Grove Mets(AJHL) :1977 Prince Albert Raiders(SJHL) :1978 Prince Albert Raiders(SJHL) :1979 Prince Albert Raiders(SJHL) :1980 Red Deer Rustlers(AJHL) :1981 Prince Albert Raiders(SJHL) :1982 Prince Albert Raiders(SJHL) :1983 Abbotsford Flyers (BCJHL):1984 Weyburn Red Wings(SJHL) :1985 Penticton Knights (BCJHL):1986 Penticton Knights (BCJHL):1987 Richmond Sockeyes (BCJHL):1988 Notre Dame Hounds(SJHL) :1989 Vernon Lakers (BCJHL):1990 New Westminster Royals (BCJHL)

Champions 1935 to 1970

"In 1934, it was announced that Junior "B" franchises were no longer eligible to compete for the Abbott Cup. The current Western Canadian Junior "B" Championship is the Keystone Cup.

:1935 Winnipeg Monarchs*:1936 Saskatoon Wesleys:1937 Winnipeg Monarchs*:1938 St. Boniface Seals*:1939 Edmonton Athletic Club Roamers :1940 Kenora Thistles:1941 Winnipeg Rangers*:1942 Portage Terriers* :1943 Winnipeg Rangers*:1944 Trail Smoke Eaters:1945 Moose Jaw Canucks:1946 Winnipeg Monarchs*:1947 Moose Jaw Canucks:1948 Port Arthur West End Bruins*:1949 Brandon Wheat Kings:1950 Regina Pats:1951 Winnipeg Monarchs:1952 Regina Pats:1953 St. Boniface Canadiens:1954 Edmonton Oil Kings:1955 Regina Pats:1956 Regina Pats:1957 Flin Flon Bombers*:1958 Regina Pats:1959 Winnipeg Braves*:1960 Edmonton Oil Kings:1961 Edmonton Oil Kings:1962 Edmonton Oil Kings:1963 Edmonton Oil Kings*:1964 Edmonton Oil Kings:1965 Edmonton Oil Kings:1966 Edmonton Oil Kings*:1967 Port Arthur Marrs:1968 Estevan Bruins:1969 Regina Pats:1970 Weyburn Red Wings

"(*) Denotes teams that went on to win Memorial Cup."

Champions 1919 to 1934

"Presented by the Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Association to the best Junior "A" team in Western Canada."

:1919 Regina Patricias:1920 Selkirk Fishermen :1921 Winnipeg Junior Falcons*:1922 Regina Patricias:1923 University of Manitoba Bisons*:1924 Calgary Canadians:1925 Regina Pats*:1926 Calgary Canadians*:1927 Port Arthur West Ends:1928 Regina Monarchs* :1929 Elmwood Millionaires:1930 Regina Pats*:1931 Elmwood Millionaires*:1932 Winnipeg Monarchs:1933 Regina Pats:1934 Edmonton Alhletic Club

"(*) Denotes teams that went on to win Memorial Cup."