Host Committee Chair Robin Wildey, joined by the Prince Albert Northern Bears, speaks to those in attendance about the 2022 Esso Cup in the Art Hauser Centre on Thursday. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Showcasing Women's Hockey

Prince Albert to host 2022 Esso Cup in April after two year delay

Nov 25, 2021 | 5:34 PM

After being cancelled twice, the 2022 Esso Cup, Canada’s national women’s U18 club championship in Prince Albert is officially set to take place.

On Thursday, the organizing committee announced at a media conference that six teams, made up of regional champions from the Atlantic, Pacific, Ontario, Quebec and the West, including the host Prince Albert Northern Bears, will take to the ice at the Art Hauser Centre for a chance to win the national title April 17 to 23.

Host committee chair Robin Wildey told paNOW they’re excited to get the tournament underway.

“The talk around town is exciting for this event,” he said. “I think it’s the first major event in P.A. in a few years, so we’re excited to show what we’re able to do with this community and hopefully we get a lot of people in the stands.”

On opening day, the tournament begins at noon with the West Region champions taking on Ontario. That is followed by the Pacific champions against Quebec. The prime-time matchup beginning at 7 p.m. belongs to the Prince Albert Northern Bears as they take on the Atlantic champions.

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“The Bears will play every 7 p.m. game as they are the host team; we want the fans,” he said. “We want to get this Art Hauser Centre packed because we know what happens in a loud, big crowd barn. It’s going to be impressive for these girls. And we want to show them they deserve the support, we want them to get the support, we want to show them that P.A. cares.”

Tickets will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 25. Single game tickets will not be available until later, but full event ticket packages can be purchased for $65. The package will include all 15 preliminary games, the semifinals as well as the bronze and gold medal games.

TSN and RDS will broadcast the gold medal game on April 23 live on TV with the rest of the games made available through Livestream.

Wildey wanted to thank all 157 volunteers who have signed up to help so far and he’s hoping to have that number increase leading up to the tournament. Those hoping to be volunteers can sign up through the Hockey Canada website or they can visit the volunteer drive at the Art Hauser Centre once its set up.

Captain of the Bears Paige Dawson, who is now in her fourth year with the team, said it’s exciting they get to host such a big tournament.

“It’s more exciting because I’ve been on the team since we were supposed to host it my second year, so the excitement just keeps growing as it goes on,” Dawson said.

Dawson explained she believes it’s an advantage to play in the 7 p.m. slot every night as they will get all day to prepare and rest.

With the event still months away from happening Dawson said the reality of the event hasn’t sunk in quite yet.

“Our goal is to get there by ourselves,” she said. “I think it will be awesome and hopefully it encourages all the young athletes and brings out every athlete.”

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Ian.Gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @IanGustafson12