Former Liberal MLA Steve Thomson and 琉璃神社 lawyer David Rush have been tapped to lead the city鈥檚 2026 Memorial Cup bid. 

鈥淏oth men bring years of experience and dedicated service to 琉璃神社 making them ideal candidates to spearhead this important initiative,鈥� a city media release reads.

Thomson and Rush will co-chair the bid, building on work done by the 2020 bid committee. The tournament bid, which 琉璃神社 won, was cancelled due to the pandemic. 

Thomson served three terms as the 琉璃神社-Mission MLA held three cabinet posts, and was past president of the Rotary Club of 琉璃神社 and the 琉璃神社 Chamber of Commerce. 

Rush is the co-founder of Rush Ihas Hardwick LLP. He has been involved in various boards and advisory committees, including the City of 琉璃神社 Advisory Planning Commission, and president of the 琉璃神社 Chamber of Commerce among many others. 

If the 2026 committee is successful, it would be the second time the 琉璃神社 Rockets would host the ten-day tournament. The Rockets won the 2004 bid and the championship.

The 2026 Memorial Cup will be the 106th edition of the tournament, which features the playoff champions from the Western, Ontario, and Quebec Major Junior hockey leagues.