Hockey Canada, in partnership with BC Hockey and the City of Dawson Creek, announced Friday the game schedule for the 2012 National Women’s Under 18 Championship, taking place November 7-11, 2012 at the EnCana Events Centre in Dawson Creek, BC.
Defending gold medalists Ontario Red will play in Group A, along with Atlantic, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Group B consists of last year’s silver medalists Quebec, bronze medalists Manitoba, Alberta and Ontario Blue.
Alberta and Manitoba face-off in the tournament’s opening game Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 10am PT, while host team British Columbia will take on Saskatchewan for the opening day’s feature game at 7pm PT. The top four (4) teams in the preliminary round will play in the semi-finals on Saturday, November 10, 2012, with the bronze medal game set for 12pm PT and the winners facing off for the gold medal at 4pm PT, both on Sunday November 11, 2012.
All preliminary games, as well as the semi-finals and bronze medal game, will be broadcast at www.hockeycanada.fasthockey.com, while the gold medal game will be broadcast on TSN/RDS, official broadcasters for Hockey Canada.
This will be the third time that BC Hockey has hosted the National Women’s Under 18 Championship. Surrey, BC welcomed the event in 2009 and Salmon Arm, BC hosted the tournament in 2005. Ontario Red has won the gold medal all seven (7) times since the tournament’s 2001 inception in Trois-Rivieres, QB.
“BC Hockey is excited to bring the National Women’s Under 18 Championship back to the west coast,” said BC Hockey president Wilf Liefke. “Our growing success in hosting this prestigious event in both 2009 and 2005 is proof that this year’s tournament will be even bigger and better.”
The National Women’s Under 18 Championship brings together all-star teams made up of the best female hockey players born 1992 or later. The tournament serves as an important platform for Hockey Canada scouts, led by head scout of the Women’s National Team Programs, Melody Davidson, who are evaluating candidates for the Canadian contingent that will compete at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship next January in Vierumaki, Finland, as well as at other international events.
“We’re thrilled to see this flagship women’s hockey event come back to British Columbia,” commented Ryan Robins, manager of marketing services for Hockey Canada. “Hockey fans will be in for a real treat when the puck drops at the EnCana Events Centre as the top young female hockey players from across the country face off for national championship gold.”
Three event ticket packages are available: full access to all 18 games for $99, all evening games for $45 and all weekend games for $75. All ticket packages are plus applicable fees. Purchase ticket packages.