Tara Jeffrey
Some of the best female hockey players in the world will face-off in Sarnia when the popular women's hockey Rivalry Series kicks off in a few weeks.
Sarnia was named one of four Canadian stops for the seven-game series between Canada’s National Team and Team USA — slated to hit the ice at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena Dec. 16.
“We really want to support women’s hockey in Sarnia-Lambton, and we’re so happy to be able to announce this,” said Mark Perrin, executive director at Tourism Sarnia-Lambton.
“It’s been on our radar for a while…we went after it pretty aggressively.”
Perrin said his team submitted a bidding package to Hockey Canada back in the spring, and has been working alongside the City of Sarnia and Sarnia Sting organization for several months.
And it paid off.
Sarnia is one of just two Ontario cities to be selected for the marquee series — which kicks off next month with games in Arizona and Los Angeles Nov. 8 and 11, followed by Kitchener Dec. 14.
Following the Sarnia stop, they’ll head to Saskatoon and Regina Feb. 7 and 9, and wrap up in Minnesota on Feb. 11.
“This event provides the opportunity to showcase Lambton County on a national level, as the game will be televised on TSN,” Perrin added. “Tourism Sarnia-Lambton also looks forward to partnering with our exceptional local Women’s hockey organizations, while providing an outstanding experience for the players and their families and all fans in attendance.”
Hockey Canada will announce grassroots initiatives that will take place leading up to the Rivalry Series games in each Canadian community at a later date, “ensuring the next generation of the game can engage with Canada’s National Women’s Team,” a news release noted.
The event is a personal one for Perrin, who has a budding young female hockey star at home.
“This one is a little more near and dear to me,” he said. “These players are so important — not just for mine — but for all our daughters to look up to.
“And it’s nice to be the cool dad for once.”
For more information, visit: https://chl.ca/ohl-sting/article/tourism-sarnia-lambton-and-the-sarnia-sting-partner-to-bring-hockey-canada-rivalry-series-to-sarnia/