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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Welcome the World Sunday

February 9, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatoon Blades and Ecologik have once again joined forces to host the Blades' annual Welcome The World game on Sunday, February 10th, at SaskTel Centre against the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings.

42 Canadian residents will receive their Canadian Citizenship in a ceremony prior to Sunday's game at SaskTel Centre in the O16 Lounge, while hundreds of new Canadian immigrants take in their first hockey game in their new home. The 42 new citizens will then take the oath of citizenship at centre ice and take part in a ceremonial puck drop.

"Our goal is to create a memorable event which enables us to connect and foster a relationship with the fastest growing segment of our population; effectively create desirable sponsorship opportunities for corporate Saskatoon; and author a cool story which cuts through the noise in the market and resonates with media and, by extension, residents in our community," explained Saskatoon Blades president Steve Hogle.

"The Blades and Ecologik want to use hockey - Canada's favourite sport - to help our new neighbours understand our nation better, welcome them into our community, and encourage them to chase dreams of their own in this new land," added Hogle.

Several festivities will be taking place throughout the day including a "Hockey 101" presentation for the hundreds of newcomers. First they will learn the basics of the game of hockey and then will have the opportunity to try on some equipment and take a few shots of their own.

Entertainment throughout the day on the concourse and during intermissions will also have a worldly flavour with performances from Russian, Ukrainian, Indian, Chinese, and First Nations dance and musical groups, just to name a few.

And since it's a Mosaic Family Sunday game, all the newcomers will be invited to hit the ice with the Saskatoon Blades for a post-game skate. For many, this will be their first time on skates.

While this isn't the first Welcome the World game for the Saskatoon Blades, president Steve Hogle is looking forward to what is expected to be the biggest.

"Since a growing number of teams are now staging their own versions of Welcome the World, we want to retain our title of the biggest and best citizenship ceremony at a sports event in the nation so we will swear in 42 new Canadians, combining that with all the newcomers who are coming to the game through the Saskatoon Open Door Society, we're expecting about 1000 newcomers on Sunday."

Doors open Sunday at SaskTel Centre at 3:00pm and fans are encouraged to be in their seats before 4:00pm for the pre-game ceremony.

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