CARHA HOCKEY WORLD CUP COMING TO WINDSOR
130 teams from 15 countries to compete
VISIT: TheCup2016.ca
The Molson Canadian CARHA Hockey World Cup in coming to Windsor-Essex.
From April 3rd to 10th, more than 130 teams from 15 countries will play in the world’s largest international adult recreational hockey tournament at the WFCU Centre, Tecumseh Arena and Vollmer Recreation Complex in LaSalle.
“All of the facilities are fantastic,” said Reuben Greenspoon, CARHA World Cup coordinator.
The event gets started on the 3rd with opening ceremonies, followed by a street party on Oullette Avenue, allowing players to socialize and reconnect.
“We try to put on the best events that we can and get people coming back over and over,” said Greenspoon.
Since the first CARHA Hockey World Cup in Toronto, back in 1996, the tournament has been held every four years and is now labeled the “Olympics” of recreational hockey.
“It started with around 80 teams in the first event and has grown,” said Greenspoon. “It was 167 teams in Quebéc City and we’ll have 134 in Windsor.”
Windsor beat out 36 other cities to host the event. Greenspoon says it’s a great fit.
“Windsor is very much a hockey city. It has a rich history.”
Greenspoon says he’s thankful that Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI) connected CARHA Hockey with the Spitfires.
“It makes sense to have a relationship with the biggest hockey team in town,” said Greenspoon. “They have a well established history and a huge following.”
He says the Spitfires were influential when the location for the CARHA World Cup was selected.
“They (the Spitfires) were involved with the bid process from the start. We received letters of support from them,” said Greenspoon. “Having a supportive hockey community is a huge part of our bid evaluation.”
Greenspoon says it’s also exciting that the tournament will run during the same time as the OHL playoffs.
“Many of the teams that come over want to see some hockey and having the Spitfires play playoff games hopefully during our event is big,” said Greenspoon.
The ‘feature game’ of the tournament will be April 8th on the main bowl of the WFCU Centre. Proceeds from will go to support the Ronald McDonald House of Southwestern Ontario.
“We always like to give back to the local community,” said Greenspoon. “We’re asking people to bring donations to that feature game. There will be a minimum of $10,000 donated to the Ronald McDonald House and we’ll present the cheque to them at that game.”
Anyone interested in tickets for the feature game can visit the TekSavvy Box Office. The rest of the games throughout the week are non-ticketed and open to all spectators.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CAHRA HOCKEY WORLD CUP, visit TheCup2016.ca.
