Originally published in the Cranbrook Townsman/Kimberley Bulletin (May 19, 2016)
When the Kootenay Ice traded captain Luke Philp to the Red Deer Rebels in a pre-trade deadline blockbuster back in January, the veteran centre took solace in the fact he was going to get the opportunity to compete for a Memorial Cup championship.
Nearly five months later, the 20-year-old Philp and the Rebels prepare to host the nation as Memorial Cup competition opens Friday from the Enmax Centrium in Red Deer.