The Prince Albert Northern Bears at the 2022 Esso Cup in Okotoks. (Twitter/Hockey Canada)

By paNOW Staff

ESSO CUP

Bears face Atlantic champions on opening day of 2023 Esso Cup

Mar 20, 2023 | 2:21 PM

The countdown is on to the 2023 Esso Cup in Prince Albert as the official schedule has been released.

The national tournament opens on April 23 with the West regional champions taking on the Quebec finalists followed by Ontario playing the Pacific champs. The opening day will conclude with the host Northern Bears taking on the Atlantic champions.

Prince Albert will finally play host to the Esso Cup after The tournament was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic-related reasons. Last year, the Bears were still the host team, but the event was moved to Okotoks, Alta.

READ MORE: Esso Cup not coming to Prince Albert again

“Despite the challenges of not being able to host the event when we originally planned, we have received tremendous support from sponsors and the community,” said Robin Wildey, chair of the local organizing committee. “We are grateful for the opportunity to host the Esso Cup and provide the City of Prince Albert with national exposure, and we look forward to welcoming the competing teams and hockey fans next month.”

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The Esso Cup returns to Saskatchewan for the third time, with Prince Albert joining Regina (2010) and Weyburn (2016) as hosts.

The Bears hope to become the first host team to win the national title and the third from Saskatchewan; the Notre Dame Hounds (2011) and Weyburn Gold Wings (2014) both captured gold medals.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @princealbertnow