2018-05-19 Sat

Canada Post released a new stamp to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the country’s most favourite sporting event - the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup Championship junior ice hockey tournament that began on 18th May.

The stamp features two hockey players, one dressed up in old attire while the other one in modern gears. An image of the trophy is positioned in the middle. One of the players belongs to the team Regina Pats that participated in the first Memorial Cup against the University of Toronto Schools in 1919. The background colours of red and while match those of the Canadian flag. The non-denominated permanent-rate (85¢) stamp comes in a pennant-shaped booklet of 10. A First Day Cover will also be offered which includes the stamp image on an old ice hockey rink design and is cancelled 18th May in Regina.

The trophy was donated by the Ontario Hockey Association in March 1919 in memory of the Canadian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in World War I. The cup was again dedicated to Canadian martyrs in 2010. The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) champion receives the award annually. Four-teams participate in the tournament in which all the players are between 16 and 21 years of age.

Image Courtesy: Canada Post