There has been a very polarizing topic at every Memorial Cup since 1984…the participation of a host team.

The C-H-L and its member leagues and teams love it. And, except in the host city, the fans hate it!! Especially when the host team is perceived as being vastly inferior to the three league champions! That is the case this year with the Regina Pats…and was the case with the 2013 Saskatoon Blades…both of whom were bounced out of the W-H-L playoffs in the first round. For Regina forward and Saskatoon product Jake Leschyshyn, he has the benefit of knowing someone very well from the 2013 Blades…his father, former N-H-L defenceman and 2013 Blades assistant coach Curtis Leschyshyn. Jake Leschyshyn and the Pats will try to prove they belong, starting Friday night as they host the Ontario League-champion Hamilton Bulldogs in the tournament opener.