Details announced for $5,000 songwriting contest, a full-slate of activities and the return of the Stanley Cup
The countdown is on to mark the 100th anniversary of the Victoria Cougars winning the Stanley Cup.
At our official launch December 10, we announced the activities, special events and a songwriting contest are planned as part of a Century Celebration on March 27 and March 29-30, 2025.
The Victoria Cougars won hockey’s greatest prize against the vaunted Montreal Canadiens. The Cougars clinched the series on March 30, 1925, at Patrick Arena, which was on the corner of Cadboro Bay Road and Epworth Street in Oak Bay. The 4,000-seat arena was destroyed by fire in 1929. A monument marking the Cougars’ accomplishment was erected in 2001 near the site of the former rink.
“This historic event is a big deal and we wanted to do something special to mark the centennial of this milestone,” said John Wilson, co-chair of the Victoria Hockey Legacy Society. “You can trace our history as a hockey town to this date 100 years ago, and the sport continues to be cherished today. I can’t wait to hear how some of our local songwriters celebrate this historic event in song.”
The VHLS was formed to bring Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada to Victoria’s Inner Harbour in January 2024. After the success of that event, which generated almost $4 million in economic activity, the VHLS set its sights on a new project to amplify the power of hockey to bring our community together and create economic opportunities for our region.
The Century Celebration runs March 27, 29-30 in Oak Bay, Victoria and throughout the region. Events include an appearance by the Stanley Cup, a songwriting contest with a $5,000 grand prize and a full slate of activities featuring something for everyone who loves hockey.
“We saw how hockey can be a positive force for bringing people together with more than 15,000 people attending Hockey Day, and 8.5 million viewers tuning into the broadcast,” VHLS co-chair Brenda MacFarlane said. “The Century Celebration is a chance to come together again, uplift community spirit and pay tribute to the Cougars for putting our region on the hockey map.”
