Courtesy Corey LeBlanc, The Casket
Organizers of the 2010 CIS Women’s Hockey Championships in Antigonish expect the event to hit a winning note on and off the ice.
“We are putting the finishing touches on things.
“We have a great group of people helping out so that makes everything much easier,” St. F.X. varsity athletics and sports information co-ordinator Krista McKenna said.
St. F.X. will host the national showcase of university women’s hockey from Thursday to Sunday at the Keating Centre. It is the second consecutive season and third time in five years the Antigonish campus has served as the venue.
While the focus is the action on the ice, McKenna said creating a memorable experience for fans is at the top of the priority list for organizers.
“We wanted to build on last year’s event. We received a tremendous amount of positive feedback,” she added.
One of the off-ice attractions returning this year is live nightly entertainment, which will take place upstairs at the Keating Centre in the Bud Light Ice Patch.
“We have local musician Matt Cameron and Canadian Idol runner-up Mitch MacDonald as two of the entertainers, along with 10 Mile House, a Maritime Rock band out of Halifax,” McKenna said.
A ticket stub from that night’s game will provide access to the Ice Patch, which is for fans 19 years and older.
Throughout the entire weekend fans of all ages will have an opportunity to participant in a variety of promotions.
“We think it is going to be a great experience for everyone,” McKenna said.
Another focus during the tournament is the development of female hockey in Antigonish, which will include a free hockey skills clinic Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Keating Centre. Participants will receive a free jersey.
Interested local female minor players can contact Greg Hull at 863-2463 to register.
After sharpening their skills, the players can join the rest of the community for a free skate at 1 p.m. X-Men and X-Women varsity student athletes will be special guests for the fun-filled afternoon.
“It is astronomical. I don’t think we realize how much of an effect having the championships here has on the town and county,” Municipality of the County of Antigonish warden Herb Delorey said.
Delorey described the economic spin-off for the entire area as “tremendous.”
“For a small university like ours, with the support of our communities, to put on this type of event is something to be really proud of,” he said.
Delorey added it is a credit to not only the X-Women hockey team, but also the entire varsity athletics program.
Town of Antigonish deputy mayor Liz Chisholm said hosting the national championship has been beneficial for the community, including young female hockey players.
“We have quite a few local players on the X-Women, which really inspires our younger players.
“They know they have something to shoot for and it is great for them to experience this calibre of hockey,” she added.
Chisholm said the event is a wonderful boost for the community. With its return for a two-year stint after its initial appearance, she added that is an indication of the quality of the experience offered to players, family and friends visiting from other parts of the country.
“It is certainly a great way to showcase Antigonish and our university,” she added.
St. F.X. X-Women head coach David Synishin said it is no surprise organizers continue to put together a high calibre event.
“No matter what major event takes place in this town, people always step up to the plate to help out. This tournament runs so well because of the great committee and strong group of volunteers involved,” he said.
“Teams love coming to Antigonish from across the country because of the hospitality and professionalism of this tournament.”
McKenna said there is always room for volunteers if people still want to get involved.
For more information about becoming a volunteer, contact Shirlyn Aker at 863-0316 or shirlyn.aker@srsb.ca
For tickets, contact the Keating Centre Box Office at 867-3304 or drop by from 6 a.m. to midnight. Tournament passes are on sale and include entrance for all nine games.
Complete tournament information is available at www.goxgo.ca