Organizers set to transform Ship Point for Hockey Day In Canada

In less than a week, Victoria plays host to Canada’s biggest hockey party, and instead of the red carpet, they’re rolling out the rink.

“It’s a 40 [foot] by 80 [foot] rink,” says Victoria Hockey Legacy Society events director Clint Flood. “It’s an artificial surface, a plastic surface that you can skate on. It’s very close to natural ice.”

The synthetic rink will be the centrepiece for Hockey Night in Canada’s interactive fan zone at Ship Point.

SEE ALSO: ‘Celebration of hockey for everyone’: Preparations ‘well underway’ for Victoria’s Hockey Day in Canada

Next Saturday, Jan. 20, Rogers Sportsnet will broadcast all day from the Inner Harbour, and they’re bringing a full roster.

“It’s the first time we’re actually bringing our panel out, so we’ll have Kevin Bieksa, Jennifer Botterill, Kelly Hrudey and Elliotte Friedman,” says Sportsnet executive producer Joel Darling. “For the first time they’ll be there until 10 o’clock when they go off the air.”

Festivities start Tuesday for the Legends of Broadcasting dinner featuring Ron McLean and legendary B.C. broadcasters, like Jim Robson and Bernie Pascall.

The rink at Ship Point opens Wednesday at 9 a.m. with events like school visits and an alumni game leading up to Saturday’s spectacle. Hockey’s greatest prize will also be on display.

“The Stanley Cup will be at Ship Point and we’ll have alumni autographs going on as well,” says Victoria Hockey Legacy Society site operator Koben Meausette.

“It’s going to be a fabulous way to present Victoria to the rest of the country,” says Flood.

If there are any doubts whether Victoria is a hockey city, Flood says the proof is etched in silver.

“You can check out the Victoria Cougars on there. The 1924-25 team is on there. You can’t miss it.”

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