The 2020 Rathgaber Cup is the inter-branch playoff for the Western region spot in the 2020 Allan Cup. The event matches up the provincial champions/representatives of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Series May Not be needed[]
Due to there being two host teams this year and that the Eastern Region spot is being unused, this series may not be needed as there is a possibility that both teams would qualify for the Allan Cup unless the Central Region spot is claimed by a non-host team in the 2019-20 Allan Cup Hockey playoffs which is a best-of-seven series scheduled to end between March 15 and 27th. Game five of that series is scheduled for opening night of this series so unless it's a sweep the series will be held. On of the host for the Allan Cup, the Hamilton Steelhawks is leading the series 2 games to none with game 3 scheduled for March 13 and game 4 scheduled for March 15. But if that series goes less than six games this series could potentially be shortened to a best-of-three if both teams are given spots in the Allan Cup.
Rosetown Withdraws[]
On March 10th, it was announced that the Rosetown Redwings would be withdrawing from the competition. due to a lack of committed players. This would give the South East Prairie Thunder the western regional berth in the 2020 Allan Cup. The event would have been cancelled anyway as Hockey Canada suspended all activity under its' jusidictionfor the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 12th.
Qualifying[]
Manitoba[]
The Norway House Bruins, Ste. Anne Aces and South East Prairie Thunder are registered at the Senior AAA level for 2019-20. A two round playoff best-of-three series will be held likely in February and March of 2020 to determine the provincial champion. The Ste. Anne Aces would withdraw from the competition prior to play beginning. The South East Prairie Thunder defeated the Norway House Bruins 3 games-to-none to win the provincial championship.
Saskatchewan[]
The Rosetown Redwings were the only registered team at the Senior AAA level in the province of Saskatchewan for 2018-19. They would announce that they would be ceasing operations in the spring of 2019. In late August of 2019 they would announce that they would in fact be registered at the Senior AAA level for 2019-20. They will compete against the Manitoba provincial champion in the 2020 Rathgaber Cup for a spot in the 2020 Allan Cup.
Series[]
Traditionally, the series is best-of-five with one team hosting all of the games on a rotating basis. The event will be hosted by the Saskatchewan representative.