At the end of the 2016–17 season, long-time Stars owners Dave and Scott Simpson sold the franchise to Derek Geddes.
For the 2018 season British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan elected not to participate in the Keystone Cup.
As a result, the tournament was reorganized to feature the LJHL and KJHL champion and runner-up.
Although the Thunder Bay Northern Hawks won the LJHL championship, the new format allowed the Fighting Walleye make their first Keystone Cup tournament.
They returned to the Keystone Cup the following season as well, and then were awarded hosting duties for the 2020 tournament.