Calgary Hosts Inaugural WWHL Championships
Olympic Oval Director of Sport Mark Greenwald unveiled the new Championship Cup today. The Oval’s High Performance Female Hockey Program has teamed up with the Women of Centre Ice Committee to host the inaugural event.
“Our 2004-2005 season marks the first year of the Western Women’s Hockey League and Calgary hockey fans will be treated to some exceptional talent on the ice during the championships,” says Greenwald. “The league features four elite teams from Western Canada and one from the United States and many of the best players in the world.”
Calgary’s Oval X-Treme, Minnesota Whitecaps and the Edmonton Chimos meet in round robin playoffs March 18 and 19 at the Olympic Oval. The championship final is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 20 at the Max Bell Centre. Family and tournament passes are available.
The Oval X-Treme roster boasts seven of Team Canada Olympic Gold medal winners while the Whitecaps have a number of American Olympians on their roster. The Edmonton Chimos, the oldest women’s club team in Canada, has a strong tradition of excellence, advancing to national championships 16 times.
“We’re looking forward to some exciting hockey on the ice and we’re thrilled to be part of this prestigious female hockey event,” says Women at Centre ice chair Michèle Stanners. “Our committee is helping to celebrate and raise awareness of women in hockey, and what better way to do than then to showcase the best talent in the game.”
The championship festivities begin at noon on March 17 with the final Road to Gold Luncheon of the season where the Women at Centre Ice will welcome the WWHL championship players and announce their scholarship recipients.
“Through our luncheons, we recognize women who have made significant contributions to hockey,” says Stanners. “Five dollars from every ticket helps fund our scholarships, which assists women in pursuing their opportunity to play, coach or referee hockey.”
Visit http://www.westernwomenshockeyleague.com/ for luncheon and game ticket information.
For further information, contact:
Yvonne Turgeon
Olympic Oval
(403) 210-8568