Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks to host CIS Championship Tournament for the the first time, bringing some of Canada's top female talent to the region.
The number one ranked Magill Martlets open the tournament this afternoon in a 4:00 pm puck drop against sixth ranked Alberta Pandas, with Laurier (5) facing off at 7:30 pm against St. Francis Xavier (2). Both of these games will include players who have been invited to participate in next months Canadian Women's Hockey Selection Camp. Magill features Goaltender Charline Labonte from Boisbriand, Quebec and Forward Ann-Sophie Bettez from Septlies, Quebec. Hockey Canada has also given a camp roster spot to Goaltender Liz Knox of the home town Golden Hawks who hails from Stouffville, Ontario.
The Manitoba Bisons (3) and the Queen's Gaels (4) will await winners and losers from tonight's games for contests scheduled for tomorrow. These games will also be at 4 pm and 7:30 pm. The four day tournament will conclude in the Gold Medal game being played at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Centre (all games held at this location) at 7:30 pm Sunday.
This type of high profile tournament brings an enormous spotlight to the often overlooked sport of Women's Hockey. Exposure to this level of competitive hockey is a fantastic opportunity for young girls and their families, who are already enrolled or thinking of enrolling in hockey programs in the area, to gain a better perspective on where this great game can take them. Universities in both Canada and the United States have drastically improved funding for their respective programs. This being said, Girl's Hockey offers young women a chance to find great post secondary education, build on essential socialization skills, as well as build a love for the game of hockey.
Both Kitchener Minor Hockey and Waterloo Minor Hockey offer programs and leagues for girls of all skill and exposure levels.
Please help support the growth of your local girl's and women's hockey leagues as well take in some fantastic University Hockey this weekend. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12. For more information regarding the CIS Women's Championship visit
www.laurierathletics.com.