Regional U18 AAA championship coming to Steinbach

The second step on the path to the Telus Cup will be in Steinbach next season.

Hockey Manitoba announced the Southeast Event Centre will host the 2026 West Regional Championship, as the top male U18 AAA teams from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Northwestern Ontario will come to town for a chance to advance to the national level. Hosting rights means that Eastman will get an automatic bid as hosts of the tournament.

“Hosting the TELUS Cup West Regional Championship in Steinbach is a tremendous opportunity for hockey across the Eastman Region,” Eastman Region Minor Council Representative Dan Gilbertson said in a news release.

“Our communities have a strong tradition of supporting minor hockey, and we’re excited to welcome teams and families from across the West while giving our own players, volunteers and fans the opportunity to experience a championship of this level close to home.”

The teams will play a four-team round robin beginning April 1, with the championship game set for April 4. The winner will advance to the Telus Cup, which will also be hosted in Manitoba this year. The national championship will be decided in Brandon April 25.

“Steinbach presented a strong bid built around an outstanding new facility, an experienced event team and a community with a tremendous connection to hockey,” Chief Executive Officer of Hockey Manitoba Trevor Buhnai said.

“We are excited to work with the Southeast Event Centre, the Eastman Selects and the entire host committee to deliver a first-class championship experience for the players, families and communities coming to Manitoba next April.”

Ticket information and sponsorship packages will be released shortly.

“This is an opportunity to showcase our facility, our community and the passion for hockey that exists throughout the region. We look forward to welcoming the participating teams and their families and creating a championship experience they will remember,” SEC director of sports programming Gabriel Brandt said.

The Eastman Selects will next be in action in Steinbach Oct. 30/31 as they take on Norman and Telus Cup Hosts Brandon on back-to-back days.