October 21, 2016
Manitoba Welcomes the World to NHL Heritage Classic
– – –Manitoba Set to Host World-class Event: Pallister
Manitoba’s unique beauty and unrivaled hospitality will be showcased this weekend as Winnipeg welcomes NHL and NHL alumni hockey to the ice at Investors Group Field and as visitors from across Canada and around the world take part in festivities as part of the NHL Heritage Classic, Premier Brian Pallister and Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Rochelle Squires announced today.
“If you’re not lucky enough to live here, Manitoba is a great place to visit and we welcome all the visitors and former Winnipeg Jets players that have come home again for this special event,” Pallister said. “The great Don Cherry summed up how many of us feel about our home town when he said in a recent hockey broadcast that Winnipeg is one of his favourite cities of all time.”
Manitoba has a proud tradition of hosting large successful events such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2015 Grey Cup, and the province is building momentum and excitement as it prepares to host the Canada Summer Games in 2017, the premier noted.
The Province of Manitoba and the NHL Foundation have each provided $25,000 to support a two-day street hockey tournament that will support physical activity and teamwork. Games will be played at Investors Group Field and the participating students will also receive a complimentary ticket to both the Alumni Game and the Heritage Classic.
“We are very pleased to work with True North Sports and Entertainment and the NHL Foundation on a tournament that will teach our youth about the benefits of participation in sport,” Squires said. “These young people will have an incredible opportunity this weekend to have fun, compete and make memories that will last a lifetime.”
Organized through the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy, the partnership between the Province of Manitoba and the NHL Foundation will allow 600 students from socially and economically challenged areas around Winnipeg to participate in the NHL Heritage Classic festivities.
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