Raiders Hosting Second Annual "This Girl Can" Night
March 17, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
Prince Albert, Sask. - It's back! We're proud to be hosting our Second Annual "This Girl Can" Night Presented By Prince Albert Memorial Gardens and River Park Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 30 when the Brandon Wheat Kings roll into town. The game night is dedicated to celebrating young girls and women in sport, business, and our community leaders.
The 2020 event was a huge success with over 300 people attending the pre-game program and over 3,000 fans in attendance that night.
This year's game night will once again begin with a pre-game event in the Ches Leach Lounge, featuring honoured guests Nordic Skier and Paralympian medalist Brittany Hudak, Olympic Hockey Official Cianna Lieffers, and Esso Cup host team Prince Albert Northern Bears. (See below for biographies)
The event starts with an off-ice speaking event that includes a question-and-answer period. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with the program beginning at 5:30 p.m. Teams, groups and individuals that have purchased tickets to the event are invited to enter through the south doors and find a seat in Ches Leach Lounge to take in the presentation. Seating in the Ches Leach Lounge is limited.
Special ticket packages are available for teams or groups wanting to attend this night. Groups purchasing tickets for the event will have priority for seating in the Ches Leach Lounge.
The package includes 18 tickets for your players/group participants for $150 which features the pre-game program and your tickets for the game. Any additional tickets can be purchased at a special price of $9.75 per child, $13.75 per youth and $19.25 for adults. Groups purchasing tickets for the event will have priority for seating in the Ches Leach Lounge.
Teams and groups are encouraged to wear their team jerseys or apparel to the game to represent their group!
"River Park Funeral home is thrilled to sponsor 'This Girl Can' Night with hosts, the Prince Albert Raiders," said Lisa Bos-Atchison, Manager of River Park Funeral Home. "Sports teach intangible leadership skills while also building characteristics that include a strong work ethic, the value of teamwork and determination to see projects through completion. We are proud to support our community and to be part of celebrating young girls and women in sport, business and as community leaders."
"We're excited that this event is coming back after a hiatus due to the pandemic," said Cliff Mapes, Executive Director of Business Operations. "Speaking for the Prince Albert Raiders organization, we are proud to partner with community leaders on this event. I want to thank, the Prince Albert Northern Bears, the Esso Cup Host Committee, sponsors and individuals who worked so hard to make it possible for everyone to hear messages from Brittany, Cianna, and Lisa at this event."
Join other girls from various sports and athletic groups from across the city and surrounding area for this exciting event! Please contact Kim Pagé at the Raiders Office today to book your spot: (306)-765-2832 or email page@raiderhockey.com.
If you or your company is interested in sponsoring a group or a team at this event, please contact Cliff Mapes at (306)-321-6499 or email him at mapes@raiderhockey.com. Packages begin at $300, which includes event and game tickets along with in-game name mentions.
About Brittany Hudak
A two-time Paralympian, Brittany Hudak was part of Canada's record-setting Para Nordic team that captured 16 medals at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games where she celebrated a bronze herself in the 12.5 kilometers biathlon event. The bronze was Hudak's first Paralympic medal.
At the recently completed 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, Hudak claimed bronze medals in the women's standing 15-kilometre cross-country skiing race and women's standing 12.5 kilometre individual biathlon race.
Hudak started the 2021-22 season with a career best performance at the season opening World Cup in Canmore. In cross country, she won gold in the five kilometer and one km races and silver in the 10 km, while in the biathlon she was victorious in the six and 10 km events.
A first-time Paralympian in 2014, Hudak was introduced to cross-country skiing by legendary Paralympian Colette Bourgonje, who would become her teammate at Sochi 2014. Hudak was an 18-year-old employee at a Canadian Tire store in Prince Albert, Sask. when Bourgonje introduced herself and provided information to Hudak on the sport.
Hudak, born missing part of her left arm, was an active person involved in dancing, track and field, basketball and badminton but was still looking for her niche sport. Hudak immediately enjoyed the challenges of cross-country skiing.
In her IPC World Cup debut in December 2013 at Canmore, Hudak was the top Canadian placing fourth in the five-kilometer women's standing race which qualified her for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games. The Prince Albert, Sask. resident had been competing domestically for only a year. She was just off the pace of Russian gold medalist Alena Kaufman.
She has continued to maintain herself among the world's best over the past seven years including top-five finishes at the last two world championships in 2017 and 2019 in both biathlon and cross-country skiing.
Off the ski trails, Hudak has been working as a youth and family support worker in Calgary throughout the pandemic in addition to her ski training. She completed her degree in social work at the University of Regina in 2019.
A Message from Cianna Lieffers
At 12 years old, I began officiating the same way I began playing hockey, by following in the footsteps of my older brother. Most of my days after school were spent at the rink, where I would officiate the early game and then play in my own game right after. However, throughout the years, officiating has turned into my biggest passion. After graduating from high school, I moved to Saskatoon, where I had the opportunity to truly begin my officiating career and begin developing my skills. In 2013 I worked my first every Hockey Canada Under 18's National Championship in Calgary, Alberta. From there, I would go on to officiate in 9 other national events such as USPORT Nationals, Canada Winter Games, and the Esso Cup Nationals. In 2016 I was licensed by the IIHF and worked my first tournament, an Olympic Qualifier, as a linesman in Mexico City. Again, this allowed me to set new goals for myself, this time internationally. The next season I was licensed as a referee and have been officiating within the IIHF ever since. I have been very fortunate to have worked at various international events, such as the 4 Nations Cup in Saskatoon, the Women's World Championships in Calgary, and the Youth Olympic Games in Switzerland. My most recent assignment was the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, a goal that I have been working towards my entire career. It was a phenomenal experience, and I will never forget the feeling of stepping onto the Olympic ice for the first time.
Back in Saskatchewan I currently referee in the CIS and FMAAAHL leagues on the women's side and in the SJHL, PJHL, and SMAAAHL on the men's side. When not skating myself, I am also an officiating clinic instructor and a game official's coach for the younger officials.
Hockey is so much more than just making the right calls on the ice. Not only is it a way to stay involved and give back to the game, but it is also about teamwork and always trying to be better than your last game, both mentally and physically. When I think back to some of my most favorite officiating memories, it isn't necessarily which game it was or who the teams were, but the people I got to work the game with and the friendships made. Along with the hockey side, officiating has taken me all around the world and allowed me to make lasting friendships and memories in the process. This is something I will always be grateful to the game of hockey for.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2022
- Americans Take on Thunderbirds at Toyota Center - Tri-City Americans
- Rockets Prepare For Back-To-Back Games Against Kamloops - Kelowna Rockets
- Raiders Hosting Second Annual "This Girl Can" Night - Prince Albert Raiders
- Bedard Continues Memorable Season with 40th Goal - Regina Pats
- ICE Recall Woo - Winnipeg Ice
- Yager Makes Warriors History, Breaking 37-Year-Old Record - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Americans Earn 2-1 Victory over Giants in Overtime - Tri-City Americans
- Oil Kings Win Streak Snapped with Loss to Blades - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Raiders Doubled Up By Broncos - Prince Albert Raiders
- Gutsy Third Period Gives Pats Comeback Win over Canes - Regina Pats
- Warriors Fall to East Division Leaders in Winnipeg - Moose Jaw Warriors
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
