New CUMRC Format Means UVic or UBC Will Be Omitted from University Championship for First Time
The McTavish Cup awarded to the top men’s University team was started in 2017. It has been won by UBC five times in its eight year history (no tournament due to COVID in 2020), UVic have won it once. UBC have placed top three in all eight years, UVic have finished top three in five of the eight years, 4th one year, 5th twice. Despite being the two most successful teams in the competition, one of them won’t be going to the championship this year. Organizers have decided on the following regional allocations this year.
1 Coastal Cup (BC) Champion
2 Prairie Champion
3 OUA Champion
4 OUA Runner-up
5 RSEQ Champion
6 RSEQ Runner-up
7 Atlantic Champion
8 Host, Trinity Western University
In 2023 when TWU last hosted, the allocations were as follows:
#1 – UBC Thunderbirds (BC1)
#2 – Victoria Vikes (BC2)
#3 – Ottawa Gee-Gees (RSEQ Champion)
#4 – Guelph Gryphons (OUA Champions)
#5 – Trinity Western Spartans (BC3)
#6 – Memorial Sea-Hawks (Atlantic Champion)
#7 – Queen’s Gaels (OUA Finalist)
#8 – Calgary Dinos (Prairies Champion)
UBC and UVic finished #1 and #2 in the tournament and TWU finished in 5th place.
The winner in the allocations seems to be Quebec #2 who replaces BC #2 in 2026. This seems to be a result of the rise of ETS in the last couple of years, winning in 2024 and finishing 2nd in 2025. École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) is a school in Montreal which has a large number of imports from France. It would be interesting to see the stats on import numbers, how many have contributed to the Canada U20 program or are on the pathway to play for Canada. Ironically UVic, who may miss out this year, have two current players who will be with the Canada men’s team in September, Cooper Coats and Josh McIndoe. UBC have Liam James, Cody Nhanala, Stephen Webb, Takoda McMullin.
With host TWU getting a pass into the tournament the two UBC v UVic matches this fall will determine which team joins TWU at the tournament. The first match is September 12th at UBC and the second is October 24th at UVic.