Guarantee anyone a chance to play in the Dudley Hewitt Cup tournament, and you are either talking bravely or the lucky team getting the opportunity to host the event.
The Fort Francis Lakers not only worked hard to secure the event, but are now guaranteed to return to the Dudley Hewitt Cup for the second year in a row.
The Dudley Hewitt Cup will feature the champions of the SIJHL, the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), and the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), as well as the host team Fort Francis Lakers. Should Fort Frances repeat as SIJHL champs this coming season, their opponent in the Bill Salonen Cup final automatically will earn a berth to the Dudley Hewitt Cup.
Fort Frances last hosted the Dudley Hewitt Cup in 2003, when the Borderland Thunder served as hosts while winning the SIJHL title that season.
The Thunder made it to the semi-finals of the tournament that year before losing 3-2 to the eventual champion Wellington Dukes.
Saturday’s much-anticipated announcement came during the SIJHL’s annual general meeting held in Fort Francis.
