The 2016 Esso Cup national midget girls hockey championship is in the history books, wrapping up with the gold medal game on Saturday, broadcast nationally by TSN.
The Brantford Ice Cats were crowned the queens of midget hockey, after they trounced Quebec’s Express du Richelieu by a score of 10-3 to claim the national title.
“Everyone had such great things to say about our hospitality,” said Mayor Debra Button, who noted she attended every single game played by the host team, the Weyburn Southern Range Gold Wings, as she promised them when the team came to visit city council several months ago.
“I did enjoy my time at the games, and meeting the representatives in the city from Hockey Canada,” she added, noting she’s heard good things from the restaurants, hotels and retail stores about the visitors who were in the city for the week-long event.
After the gold and silver medals were presented on Saturday evening, the Ice Cats coach told Mayor Button, “‘It was an absolute pleasure to be in your community.’ That was such a nice thing to say.”
She also heard from residents who watched the game on TSN, and said Weyburn’s facility and the city itself looked really good on television as the broadcast went out across Canada.
“I would just say ‘well done’ to the organizing team led by Dale Renz and Pete Shaefer and all the volunteers,” said Mayor Button, quipping, “We just can’t be beat, except on the ice. Darn it!”
After the medal presentations on Saturday, Renz gave a sigh of relief that it was all over now, but noted now the cleanup had to begin.
“A lot of hard work went into preparing for the Esso Cup. Our committee really was prepared,” he said, adding everything he has heard from participants was that everything ran very smoothly throughout the week.
One of the highlights were the school visits by the hockey teams, with the players engaging enthusiastically with the children at the schools, said Renz.
In the feedback Renz heard from the five visiting teams was praise for how the tournament was run, and for the “fabulous” meals catered at the Curling Rink by Myrna McFadden and her crew.
He also paid tribute to the 220 volunteers who made sure every aspect of the national championship was taken care of. “People showed up for their shifts on time, and when we needed extra help with something, they were there. It really worked well.”
The volunteers were treated to an evening of celebration on Saturday evening in the Curling Rink, including entertainment by Weyburn band Private Drive.
Renz noted people visited businesses around the city, and the business owners and hotels were happy with how well-behaved the girls on the teams were.
Part of the proceeds from the event will establish a legacy fund for scholarships, to help fund future female hockey players to help them develop their skills, said Renz.
