Photo credit: Archived/RocketFAN

By Regan Bartel

Josh Gorges gets goosebumps - again!

Kelowna’s cup comeback

May 18, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Josh Gorges might be 40 now, and sure, his hair is significantly greyer than it was back in 2004 – but don’t let that fool you. When he talks about the Memorial Cup, those goosebumps come rushing back like he’s still wearing the Kelowna Rockets jersey, leading the charge as captain.

At the official Memorial Cup 2026 headquarters launch party on Manhattan Drive earlier this week, Gorges took a stroll down memory lane with a grin and that unmistakable spark in his eye. Because nothing says ‘I’m getting older’ like suddenly remembering every little detail from nearly two decades ago – and realizing how big the moment really was.

“I have been fortunate over my career to have a lot of good people help me along the way,” Gorges said. “Starting off with the Kelowna Rockets, giving me the opportunity to play. The 2004 Memorial Cup that I got to be a part of, being a Kelowna kid and hosting it in my hometown in my final year as the captain of the team, to win a championship, to see what the city was like after… I didn’t get to enjoy too much of it during, we were preoccupied. We enjoyed it for a few weeks afterward.”

Translation? During the tournament, it was all business – on the ice, that is. No time for celebrating when you’re chasing a championship. But once the dust settled, Kelowna’s party was something to remember.

Even now, Gorges says people still stop him on the street to relive the magic of that run.

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“I still have people come up to me when I bump into them in the city and they talk about what it was like in 2004. Where they were. Where they were sitting. Parts of the game.”

Apparently, people remember everything – from their seat location to the exact moment the puck dropped and the adrenaline hit. And it’s not just Kelowna locals reliving the glory.

“People from outside the city were telling us what it was like to come to Kelowna to experience this beautiful city that we all call home.”

Now, nearly 20 years later, the Memorial Cup is coming back – and Gorges is ready to relive those goosebumps, minus a few hair follicles.

“To be part of this for 2026 – it is one of the greatest tournaments there is. It is one of the hardest championships to win. One of the biggest highlights of my career was grabbing that trophy, standing in front of my family, my teammates, in this city and to be able to raise it over my head. I am getting goosebumps just talking about it.”

Not just any event, this is the event for junior hockey in Canada – and it carries a lot of weight in small communities where the WHL means everything. That’s why Western Hockey League President Dan Near didn’t hesitate to make the five-hour drive from Spokane to Kelowna for the launch.

“We are about rallying communities,” Near said. “Soon to be 23 communities across Western Canada – we are often the most important thing in that town. We are the thing that people rally around. We are the thing people are passionate about.”

Near also made it clear that hosting the Memorial Cup is no small feat.

“Don’t take lightly of getting this far, and the challenge is for this to be the best Memorial Cup ever. There is pressure. It is a healthy pressure. There is pressure for everyone in this community to step up for excellence. Success is more than showing up a week before the event. Success started months ago. It continues every week. Every month as we rally the community for everything we need for it to be successful.”

So yeah, Kelowna’s on the clock – and everyone has a role to play if this tournament is going to live up to the hype.

“This is our Super Bowl. This is our Olympics. This is Kelowna’s Memorial Cup – and it is all here. Let’s make history together,” Near concluded.

Even Gorges, the guy with the grey hair and the captain’s swagger, couldn’t resist passing the torch a bit. Speaking directly to current Rockets star Tij Iginla, he said:

“I know Tij is the only player here tonight, but you will enjoy it. You will remember forever and it will be an amazing week.”

That’s the promise of the Memorial Cup: a week filled with unforgettable moments, intense hockey, and that rare chance to be part of something bigger than yourself.

So here’s the deal, Kelowna: the long wait is finally over. Goosebumps, grey hairs, and all – the Memorial Cup is rolling back in like it was always meant to be here, ready to remind us why some things only get better with time.

Whether you’re a diehard fan or just someone who loves a good hometown party, 2026 is shaping up to be an unforgettable time. And if Gorges’ goosebumps are any indication, it’s going to be something special.