In three of the first four Viking Cup International Hockey Tournaments at Camrose, the reigning CCAA champions competed. Their inclusion was a strategic move by tournament organizers.

The presence of a reigning national champion brought instant credibility to the inaugural event. Subsequent events would also showcase reigning national junior champions from various countries as well as the reigning CCAA champions. In addition, the event would feature teams that went on to win national titles at season's end.

Each of the three reigning CCAA champions was based in a media market which had at least one daily newspaper, at least one local television station and multiple radio stations as compared to the host community which had a weekly newspaper and a lone radio station. The heightened awareness of the event attracted attendees beyond the loyal supporters of their hockey programs.

Viking Cup '81 featured junior teams from Finland, Sweden & Canada in addition to the host Vikings, the Centennial College Colts and the reigning CCAA champion Red Deer College Kings. The Kings entered the inaugural event with 10 returnees including 1979-80 CCAA Tournament All Star Ron Parent. Red Deer, who was coached by future CCAA Hall of Fame member Al Ferchuk, placed third at the Viking Cup and third in the ACAC regular season (prior to being swept in the best of three ACAC semi final series).

Viking Cup '82 showcased junior teams from Czechoslovakia, Sweden and Canada in addition to the host Vikings and the reigning CCAA champion SAIT Trojans. SAIT dressed 10 veterans including 1980-81 CCAA Tournament Most Valuable Player Ron Pierce. During the 1981-82 campaign, the Trojans, who were coached by Bob Moore, fell short of podium finishes on the international and national stage. SAIT placed below conference rivals at both Viking Cup '82 and the 1982 CCAA National Championship. The Trojans finished fifth at the former and fourth at the latter.

Viking Cup '86 boasted junior teams from Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Finland and Canada in addition to the host Vikings and the reigning CCAA champion NAIT Ooks. NAIT featured 13 returnees including 1984-85 CCAA Tournament All Stars Jamie Bartman and Mike Spencer as well as 1984-85 CCAA All Canadian Ron Amyotte. The Ooks, who were coached by future CCAA Hall of Fame member Perry Pearn, not only retained the Viking Cup, they repeated as CCAA champions.

The aforementioned reigning CCAA champions were also reigning ACAC champions. In six of the first eight events, the reigning ACAC champion participated at the event. Only the 1985-86 NAIT Ooks and the 1991-92 NAIT Ooks would repeat as provincial champions. The 1985-86 Ooks would also win the CCAA National Championship while the 1991-92 Ooks would also win the 1992 CCAA Challenge Cup.

In 2022, a committee was established to begin working toward a reboot of the event which in its initial run featured over 100 future Olympians. From December 28th through January 3rd, the Viking Cup returns to Camrose.

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