Dow named as ‘Presenting Sponsor’ for 2024 Memorial Cup

By always looking forward, Dow never stops evolving.

That was quite evident last week when the Midland-based company stepped up to serve as presenting sponsor of the 104th Memorial Cup, which will take place in Saginaw next May. It marks the first time that the Canadian Hockey League’s championship event – often dubbed as the Super Bowl of Canada – will be held in the United States in 26 years, and the very first time that it will take place in an American Ontario Hockey League city.

“On behalf of the Canadian Hockey League and our member leagues, it is my pleasure to welcome Dow as the presenting sponsor of the 2024 Memorial Cup,” said Dan Mackenzie, President of the CHL. “We are elated to have the support of Dow in bringing to life this historic Memorial Cup in the State of Michigan. There’s no doubt that their partnership with our championship event will help us elevate the experience that our fans will get to enjoy in Saginaw next spring.”

“The opportunity for Dow to be affiliated with such a historic and important hockey event like the Memorial Cup is an honor,” said Carlos Padilla II, Dow Head of Global Sports Partnerships. “We are so proud to align ourselves with both the Saginaw Spirit and the CHL to deliver this historic Memorial Cup in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, which will welcome thousands of fans to the Dow Event Center and see millions of viewers tune in to watch the tournament over the course of its two-week run.”

Heather Gallegos, Director of Community Relations at Dow, echoed Padilla’s comments by stating that Dow has proudly called the Great Lakes Bay Region home for over 125 years. “As a longstanding member of this community, we are committed to supporting events like the Memorial Cup that foster a sense of togetherness and promote healthy competition. We understand the importance of community and the value of nurturing relationships. We are excited to join hands with the CHL, Saginaw Spirit, athletes, and fans alike to create an unforgettable experience for all.”

The Saginaw Spirit organization also unveiled of the official logo for the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow.

“As the host of a major international event in the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow, the Saginaw Spirit are grateful for Dow’s support as the presenting sponsor,” said Craig Goslin, President and Managing Partner of the Saginaw Spirit. “Their leadership consistently proves their commitment to making the entire Great Lakes Bay Region a better place for residents and visitors alike.”

“The 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow will bring visitors from all parts of Canada, the USA, and other countries to honor the soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to celebrate the elite talent of the CHL’s student-athletes,” added Goslin. “This event will be epic, and to have Dow as its presenting sponsor brings us the ability to make it world-class.”

Awarded to the best team in junior hockey, the Memorial Cup is one of the most coveted trophies in the sport and it has shaped the way junior hockey is played in North America. First awarded in 1919, in remembrance of the many soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice for Canada in the First World War, the Memorial Cup was rededicated to the memory of all fallen Canadian Military Personnel in 2010.

As hosts, the Saginaw Spirit will be one of four teams to participate in the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow alongside the playoff champion from each of the OHL, QMJHL, and WHL. All games will be played at the Dow Event Center and ticket sales for the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow will be available for purchase to the public starting on Wednesday, October 11.

In 1897, The Dow Chemical Company began as a one-product start-up founded by H.H. Dow, an industry pioneer. Dow was an electrochemical pioneer whose first commercial success came in 1891 when he used electric current to separate bromides from brine. Dow now operates manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 37,800 people.

Nine-part ‘Spirit Rising’ to debut this week

The Ontario Hockey League, along with the Go Great Lakes Bay CVB, present “Spirit Rising.” Go Great Lakes Bay’s exclusive look at the quest for the Memorial Cup.

The nine-part series premiers with a debut episode streaming free on OHL Live and CHL TV on Tuesday, October 3 at 7 p.m. (EST). Fans can also follow the series on TSN and the NHL Network.

 Nationally-recognized sports columnist and reporter Jon Morosi – a native of Essexville - will take fans through the trials and triumphs of the Spirit’s path to the CHL’s annual national championship, one that will also feature champions from the OHL, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and the Western Hockey League beginning at the Dow Event Center on May 23, 2024. 

Under the leadership of General Manager Dave Drinkill and head coach Chris Lazary, the Spirit feature an exciting roster of outstanding second-year players – including former first overall exceptional status standout Michael Misa at forward and 2024 NHL Draft prospect Zayne Parekh on the blueline.

The Spirit, who were recently ranked fourth in the inaugural edition of the CHL Top-10 rankings and second in the OHL Preseason Power Rankings, feature three NHL prospects with second-round picks Hunter Haight (Minnesota Wild) and Matyas Sapovaliv (Vegas Golden Knights) along with fourth-round selection Joey Willis (Nashville Predators). 

The Spirit organization also recently announced that the contracts of Drinkill and Lazary have been extended for three years. After joining the Spirit in the summer of 2015, Drinkill enters his ninth season as the GM in Saginaw. His Spirit teams have won a franchise-best 226 games during the regular season and claimed a pair of West Division titles (2019, 2020). The Spirit made their way to the Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history under Drinkill, who now stands tasked with building a roster to take his team to the Memorial Cup and beyond.

Lazary, meanwhile, has been Saginaw’s head coach since his promotion in November of 2018. The Spirit won 34 games down the stretch that year, claiming their first West Division title and first trip to the Western Conference Final in franchise history. With 135 wins in his Spirit career, Lazary sits just 19 shy of setting a new franchise record (Todd Watson, 154 wins, 2007-2011).