PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – More than two years after the last Esso Cup was played, the local organizing committee for the 2022 tournament in Prince Albert, Sask., is ready to welcome the nation to the Gateway to the North.

The official game schedule for the 2022 Esso Cup, Canada’s National Women’s U18 Club Championship, was unveiled on Thursday, with five regional champions (Atlantic, Ontario, Pacific, Quebec, West) joining the host Prince Albert Bears at the 3,299-seat Art Hauser Centre, April 17-23.

“The 2022 Esso Cup host committee has been working hard over the past three years preparing to host a world-class event in Prince Albert,” said Robin Wildey, chair of the local organizing committee. “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. 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 in April.”

The tournament kicks off April 17, with the West Region champions taking on the Ontario titlists at 12 p.m. MT, followed by the Quebec winners taking on the Pacific champs at 3:30 p.m. MT. Opening day will conclude with the host Bears starting their quest for a national title against the Atlantic Region champions at 7 p.m. MT.

Full-event ticket packages for the 2022 Esso Cup can be purchased for $65 (plus applicable fees) at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets. The package includes one ticket to all 15 preliminary-round games, both semifinals, and the bronze and gold medal games. Single-game tickets will be available for purchase at a later date.

“We are thrilled to bring the Esso Cup back to Saskatchewan, as we know the host committee, Hockey Saskatchewan and the hockey community in Prince Albert have been patiently waiting to welcome the top women’s U18 club teams from across Canada,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of events and properties with Hockey Canada. “There is a lot of excitement around the Esso Cup this year, and we know Prince Albert will provide a memorable experience for the competing teams and players, as well as their families and local hockey fans.”

The Esso Cup will make its return to the Land of the Living Skies for the third time, with Prince Albert joining Regina (2010) and Weyburn (2016) as Saskatchewan hosts. The Bears will look to become the first host team to win the national title, and the third team from Saskatchewan; the Notre Dame Hounds (2011) and Weyburn Gold Wings (2014) both captured gold medals at the Esso Cup.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the gold medal game on April 23. All preliminary-round games and both semifinals, as well as the bronze medal game, will be available via livestream.

Historically, the Esso Cup has generated more than $1 million in local economic impact, with event proceeds being directed to supporting women’s hockey initiatives and development in the local community. As with all Hockey Canada national championships, the net proceeds from all ticket sales will remain in the host community.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2022 Esso Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca/EssoCup, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and by using #OurGameIsBack.