CBC has announced that its iconic Hockey Day in Canada celebration will be held in the only town that borders two provinces, Lloydminster, Alberta/Saskatchewan. Over the years, Hockey Day in Canada has been hosted by several Canadian locations like Prince Edward Island this year and Toronto when the concept first started. It has mostly been hosted by smaller towns since CBC began this tradition.
And Lloydminster will be a bit more special as the 2012-13 season will be the 60th consecutive year that Hockey Night in Canada has been aired on Canada’s public broadcaster.
The Hockey Day concept has been cloned in the United States especially by Fox Sports North for its annual Hockey Day in Minnesota and of course, NBC has its own Hockey Day in America which for the last two years has been held a week after Hockey Day in Canada.
While you won’t get journalism on Hockey Day, I do eat up the stories by CBC celebrating Canada’s game. It’s a great day to watch the stories and fall in love with hockey all over again.
We have details from CBC on 2013’s edition of Hockey Day in Canada which will be held in February of next year and will be simulcast in the US on NHL Network.
HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA ON CBC BRINGS ITS 13TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION TO CANADA’S ONLY BORDER CITY, LLOYDMINSTER, AB/SK, IN FEBRUARY 2013
Canada’s annual celebration of hockey, HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA, will head west in February, 2013, to Lloydminster, AB/SK. Ron MacLean will host the live broadcast that culminates a week of community activities and events celebrating the game across Lloydminster.
“Hockey Day in Canada is one of our favourite events each year and we’re thrilled to be bringing our annual celebration of grassroots hockey to Lloydminster in 2013,” said Julie Bristow, CBC’s Executive Director of Studio and Unscripted Programming. “The 2013 season represents Hockey Night in Canada’s 60th year and with an eager group of volunteers ready to get started, Lloydminster will be enthusiastic and welcoming hosts for this extra special event.”
Canada’s only border city, Lloydminster straddles the boundary between Alberta and Saskatchewan and is home to more than 30,000 residents. The community’s passionate hockey fans support teams on a variety of levels. The Jr. B Bandits are a perennial powerhouse in the North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League, while the Junior A Bobcats of the Alberta Junior Hockey League are community owned by 87 local investors and were featured on the 2012 Hockey Day in Canada broadcast. The Senior AAA Border Kings won the Allan Cup in 2001 and 2007 and hosted the Championship for the third time since 2000 this past spring at the Centennial Civic Centre.
“One of the best parts of Hockey Day in Canada every year is the chance we get to highlight local hockey heroes from coaches to homegrown NHLers to volunteers that keep the game growing in communities across the country,” said Trevor Pilling, Head of Programming, CBC Sports and Hockey Night in Canada. “The Lloydminster community has a rich hockey heritage and is a shining example of why the game continues to be such a great source of pride and passion for players and fans of all ages.”
The Lloydminster minor hockey program has produced dozens of NHL alumni as well as current NHL players Scott Hartnell, Andrew Ference, Braden Holtby, Colby Armstrong and Clarke MacArthur.
HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA’S 13th annual broadcast in February 2013 marks the continuation of an important Canadian hockey tradition. Winner of three Gemini Awards, it was recognized for Best Sports Program (2004) and Best Host in a Sports Program (Ron MacLean in 2004 and 2006). Previous host locations include Prince Edward Island (2012), Whitehorse, YT (2011), Stratford, Ont. (2010), Campbellton, N.B. (2009); Winkler, Man. (2008); Nelson, B.C. (2007); Stephenville, Nfld. (2006); Shaunavon, Sask. (2004); Iqualuit, Nunavut (2003); Windsor, N.S. (2002); Red Deer, Alta. (2001); and Toronto, Ont. (2000).
HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA will also be available live and on-demand at CBCSports.ca.
And we’ll have more throughout the day. Maybe even linkage if I can squeeze it in tonight.
