Burnaby was named the host city for the fifth annual Esso Cup national female ice hockey championships.
Hockey Canada, in partnership with B.C. Hockey and the B.C. Hockey female midget AAA league, made the announcement on Tuesday. The national championship will take place from April 21-27.
The Fraser Valley Phantom, which competes in the female midget AAA league, will serve as host team at the Esso Cup. Canada's national female midget championship will feature the top female teams from across the country competing at the twin-rink, 2,000-seat Bill Copeland Sports Centre.
"B.C. Hockey is extremely excited to host the Esso Cup for the first time," said B.C. Hockey president Wilf Liefke in a prepared release. "This event will showcase some of the best women's hockey in the country, including Fraser Valley Phantom players from our own backyard, and will also help grow and strengthen the female game across our province."
The 2013 Esso Cup will feature five regional champions (Pacific, West, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic), in addition to the host Phantom.
The six teams will compete in a five-day round robin, followed by semifinals and the bronze- and gold-medal games. The gold-medal game will air on TSN, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada.
"We have no doubt that Burnaby will be a fantastic host to this special women's hockey event, which continues to grow in popularity and prestige," said Dean McIntosh, director of marketing services and events for Hockey Canada. "We look forward to seeing Canada's top female midget teams face off for a national championship on B.C. ice."
