The Windsor Spitfires and City of Windsor brought the past into the future with the unveiling of the 2017 Memorial Cup logo.
The logo features the Memorial Cup rising on top, a poppy over the heart of it all and a Lancaster Bomber, which was proudly displayed in Windsor’s Jackson Park for years. It’s a tribute to the tremendous history the City of Windsor has and one to be proud of.
2017 Memorial Cup Military Liasion Mike Akpata stood proud next to the new logo. He said “It’s not a plane. It’s our history. It’s not a logo. It’s our past.” The Memorial Cup is all about remembering the people who died for our nation, honouring them well into the future. It’s about the sacrifice made in the heart of battle.
Showcasing the City of Windsor
Windsor Spitfires’ Michael DiPietro (L) and Gabriel Vilardi. Photo Courtesy: Dave Jewell
While the 2017 Memorial Cup remembers the past, it’s also about the future of the City of Windsor. Four teams will compete in the 99th annual event, to be held May 18-28, 2017, at the WFCU Centre in Windsor. This means tens-of-thousands of tourists will flock to Windsor and Essex County for not only hockey, but everything our region has to offer. They’ll tour the venues, such as wineries, restaurants, and shopping districts. They’ll enjoy our beaches, our streams and our parks. Dollars will be poured into the economy and, for those 10-days, Windsor will be on the map, both nationally and Internationally.
“It’s about strengthening our city, and all that it has to offer… and offer positive conversation about our community,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “Sports tourism is an integral part of this strategy, one that is having a solidly positive impact on the reputation we are building on the world stage.”
Past Meets Present
The Spitfires have a storied history, both from their days at the venerable Windsor Arena, and their back-to-back Mastercard Memorial Cup championships in 2009 and 2010. Fans in this city are passionate and are chomping at the bit to see the team succeed. Windsor last hosted the Memorial Cup in 1981, however they did not participate as they did not win the OHL Championship that year. The event expanded to four teams, allowing the host to participate, in 1983. Windsorites are proud of their city’s history, which has a rich military background. The logo fits the city extremely well, and the tournament itself is long over-due.
After a rough stretch in the standings over the last few seasons, Spitfires’ fans are itching to have a reason to celebrate. The unveiling of the logo comes just two weeks before OHL Camps open up and it gets the energy flowing through the veins of fans. It’s not just a logo unveiling, but the reminder that this season is going to be a special one in Windsor. It’s a chance to remember and honour a storied history, while celebrating both success on the ice that’s sorely needed and success in a city that could elevate it to world-class status.