Downtown Street Hockey Challenge

August 24, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


VICTORIA, BC (Wednesday, August 24, 2005) - "The good ol' hockey game" takes to the streets of downtown Victoria on Saturday, September 24th when up to 48 teams will face off on eight rinks up and down Government Street in the First Annual Street Hockey Classic.

The tournament consists of two separate challenge events: one for youth, the other for adults. Both have been organized to kick off the 2005 seasons for both the Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL and the Victoria Salsa of the BC Hockey League.

The Salsa Kids Classic will run in the morning with 96 youth - 24 teams - participating in two divisions (6-8 years and 9-12 years). Salsa team members will referee the games with the winning teams advancing to the finals around noon.

The Salmon Kings Corporate Challenge games take place throughout the afternoon with celebrity refs. The finals are expected to take place around 5:30pm. (see attached event outline for more details).

The idea was born with Ken Kelly, Executive Director of the Downtown Business Improvement Association who staged a similar event in Moncton prior to accepting his new position in Victoria. The idea was floated in July and enthusiastically embraced by the City of Victoria, the downtown business community, energetic volunteers and by both the Victoria Salmon Kings and the Victoria Salsa.

"The Victoria Salmon Kings are excited to be a part of this tremendous event. Hockey is coming back to downtown Victoria. The Salmon Kings are opening in the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre this October and this street hockey event is an excellent way for us to kick off our second season in the ECHL," said Adam Olsen, Communications Coordinator of the Victoria Salmon Kings. "We are proud to be involved in this event with the Victoria Salsa promoting hockey in Victoria together."

Salsa coach Rylan Fester agrees, "Bringing the Salsa and the Salmon Teams together to celebrate the game we love with the community is a great idea. Centre ice on the downtown streets - it doesn't get much better."

"The Downtown Street Hockey Classic is about building community and inviting residents to come out and play in the streets," says Kelly. "Victoria's climate is ideal for this event and we encourage families to come and enjoy their downtown by either playing or cheering on one of the 48 teams that will be playing throughout the day."

Proceeds from the Downtown Street Hockey Classic will go to The Victoria Association for Community Living and its Foundation, who recognize the rights of people with developmental disabilities to have the full range of life choices available to all members of society. This includes access to education, affordable and appropriate housing, leisure options, gainful employment and other community values and supports the full and complete involvement of all its citizens. "We are celebrating 50 years of service this year and this event is a proud way to acknowledge who we are and what we do," explains Frank Bourree, President of the Foundation Board." Street hockey is accessible to everyone - accessibility and inclusion is a huge part of our mandate so this event is a great fit for us and for the people we support."

Throughout the day, the Association will be presenting a family area where children of all ages can come for face painting, hockey shoot outs, and enjoy special presentations including a noon hour performance from Stages Dance Company.

Team registration forms and details will be available in the Times Colonist on August 25th or may be downloaded from the Times Colonist and The Q websites. The cost for the Salsa Kids Classic is $40 per team and $500 for the Salmon Kings Corporate Challenge. Space is limited to 24 teams in each category so registration forms must be dropped off in person with a cheque no later than September 1 at the DVBIA office (20 Centennial Square).



ECHL Stories from August 24, 2005


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