Cougars launch bid to host Memorial Cup

By Ted Clarke

It might come down to show of hands whether Prince George wins the bid to host the 2013 Memorial Cup.

The Prince George Cougars need a greater abundance of fans to start waving their own mitts at Cougar games to show the city is ready to host major junior hockey's national championship tournament.

The Cougars rank near the bottom of the WHL in attendance and the team realizes its lack of fan support could scuttle plans for what would rank second only to the 2015 Canada Winter Games as the highest-profile sporting event in the city's history.

"We've got all the criteria for the bid process -- the facilities, the arena, transportation, hotels -- we're on top of the league in all that," said Prince George Memorial Cup committee co-chair Mike Doran.

"We've got a good product on the ice, the only thing we're missing is fan support. That's definitely lacking and we need more people to come to games. A good show of support for the Cougars on the ice would demonstrate to the league we have that support and will have it for years to come."

With just four home games left in the regular season, time is of the essence for that turnaround to occur. Through 21 home games this season, the Cougars averaged 2,207 fans, down 68 fans per game from last season.

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