The Lacombe Generals have made a bid to Hockey Alberta to host the 2019 Allan Cup.

Generals general manager Jeff McInnis says he expects a decision to come on Tuesday (Jan 16th) and should his team’s bid be successful, all games would be played in Lacombe at the Gary Moe Autogroup Sportsplex.

That venue, he says, makes for a strong pitch.

“Knowing what we know, the venue is a big deal,” McInnis says. “You can have enough spectators, you can have enough room for the teams. That rink in Lacombe is so great for our brand, we would love to be able to host an Allan Cup there.”

Dating back to its years as the Bentley Generals, the team has played in 11 Allan Cups, winning three. McInnis says that experience gives them insight into what makes a successful tournament.

“We’ve created a successful team that’s been to a lot of Allan Cups. So we know what’s required. What’s good about Allan Cup tournaments, what’s bad,” he says. “We know how it is for visiting teams and we know the logistical things that make them good for all involved.”

Last time the Generals hosted the senior AAA championship trophy was in 2013, with games played in Red Deer.

The Generals are not the only ones in the Allan Cup Hockey West seeking to be the 2019 hosts.

Innisfail town council drafted a letter in December supporting a bid from the Innisfail Eagles.

Eagles GM Ryan Dodd says after 70 years of the team’s existence, it’s time that they host their first Allan Cup.

“With the people we have surrounding our club, Brian Sutter being the head coach and so many great sponsors and volunteers, we just felt the time was right to put a bid in,” Dodd says. “You need good people and you need people who are willing to step up and help out and do what they say they’re going to do in order to pull off an event like that.”

Fort Saskatchewan and Stony Plain are also vying to host the 2019 Allan Cup.