The 2022-23 Prince Albert Northern Bears. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Northern Bears preview

Bears hold press conference ahead of home opener, Esso Cup tournament

Sep 29, 2022 | 2:08 PM

The Prince Albert Northern Bears held a small conference on Thursday morning where they announced the Esso Cup along with the upcoming season.

The tournament is now four years in the making for the Bears, as P.A. was set to host it back in 2020 but the pandemic forced the committee to postpone the event. Lucky enough for the Bears though, they were able to go to the tournament last year as the host team except it wasn’t held in Prince Albert, it was in Okotoks.

Returning Bear Julia Cey said that having the experience of the Esso Cup last season will play in their favour this go around, especially with home ice advantage.

“Going to and playing in Okotoks was an amazing experience, but I know that when we bring it home, it’s definitely going to be different,” she said. “The home atmosphere is going to be great and the girls that experienced Esso last year are going to have all that knowledge coming forward and it’ll be really successful.”

Hailing from P.A., Cey added that she’s excited about the chance to play in the tournament in her hometown.

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“I think everyone is excited, I know am,” she said. “It’s going to be awesome to celebrate this (tournament) coming to P.A. in front of all the young girls and boys who look up to our team.”

Also at the event was chair of hosting committee Robin Wildey, who said a few words regarding the Bears’ upcoming season along with having the Esso Cup at home.

“We hope you have a great season in the Saskatchewan U18 League followed by an exciting playoff run,” he said. “Many of the players had a chance to experience what it’s like to play in an Esso Cup and to be able to play in a national championship in your home rink is very special. Not many people get that chance, and we know you will be ready and you’ll bring the energy and enthusiasm you demonstrated in the 2022 Esso Cup and make Prince Albert proud.”

In coordination with the Bears, the host committee also announced that 2023 Esso Cup tickets will be going on sale on Saturday at 1 p.m., the same time and day the Bears get their regular season underway versus the Saskatoon Stars at the same time.

Tickets for the tournament can be bought online or during Bears games at the Art Hauser Centre.

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logan.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann