22/09/2009

Canadians Head For Scotland

EDINBURGH, Scotland. Ice Hockey's Homecoming celebration takes place this week with the biggest Ice Hockey event ever to be staged in Scotland.

Edinburgh Capitals, Scotland's only Elite league Ice Hockey team, is hosting a four team tournament to celebrate Scotland's contribution to the game of Ice Hockey and Ice Hockey's Homecoming. The teams will be fighting it out to win the Gardiner Cup.

The tournament will feature two American Hockey League (AHL) teams, the Toronto Marlies (AHL Affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs) and the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) and 2 UK Elite league teams, the Edinburgh Capitals and the Belfast Giants. It will take place at Murrayfield Ice Rink in Edinburgh. The timetable is below.

Thursday 24th September - a head to head clash between the Hamilton Bulldogs and the Toronto Marlies.

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September - a Festival of Ice Hockey, a four team tournament where the best of UK Hockey face off against two of Canada's top teams.

The Gardiner Cup celebrates the life of Chuck Gardiner. Known as the wandering Scotsman, he was one of the games pre-eminent goal tenders during the 1920s and 30s. Born in Edinburgh, he then moved to Canada with his family eventually settling in Winnipeg. He attained NHL stardom with the Chicago Blackhawks where he guarded the cage from 1927-1934. Prior to his untimely death in 1934 he led the Blackhawks to their first Stanley cup win and in 1945 was the first Scot to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Naming the tournament cup after this great player seemed a fitting accolade for Chuck and his family.

In Scotland's year of Homecoming it is only fitting that a game that Scottish people played a key role in inventing comes home. This will be the highest level of competitive ice hockey ever to be seen in Scotland.

For full details of the event and to purchase tickets go to www.icehockeyshomecoming.com and be part of this unique sporting event.