By Hockey Canada

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – With just over one month until the puck drops on the 2023 Esso Cup, Hockey Canada and the Prince Albert organizing committee have unveiled the official tournament schedule for Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship.

The host Prince Albert Bears will be joined by five regional champions (Atlantic, Ontario, Pacific, Quebec, West), April 23-29 at the Art Hauser Centre.

“The 2023 Esso Cup host committee has been working hard over the past few 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 next month.”

The tournament kicks off on April 23, with the West champions taking on the Quebec titlists at 12 p.m. CT, followed by the Ontario winners taking on the Pacific champs at 3:30 p.m. CT. Opening day will conclude with the host Bears beginning their quest for the Esso Cup against the Atlantic champions at 7 p.m. CT.

Full-event ticket packages for the 2023 Esso Cup can be purchased for $65, including 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 and local community in Prince Albert and Hockey Saskatchewan have been patiently waiting to welcome the top women’s U18 club teams from across Canada,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of strategic partnerships and community impact with Hockey Canada. “The unveiling of the schedule is an important step as Prince Albert prepares to welcome the nation, and we know the community 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 from Saskatchewan; the Notre Dame Hounds (2011) and Weyburn Gold Wings (2014) both captured gold medals.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the gold medal game on April 29; please check local listings for details.

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 2023 Esso Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca/EssoCup, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.