As the anticipation for Hockey Day in Canada builds, the city of Victoria is abuzz with excitement.
The picturesque Ship Point, nestled along Victoria’s inner harbour, is transforming into a hockey haven and so is the rest of the city.
From the construction of an outdoor hockey rink at Ship Point to former NHL stars and broadcasters gearing up for an Alumni game at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, and the Victoria Royals are preparing for back-to-back action—hockey is in the air!
Amidst all the hockey festivities, there will be a special treat for fans—the iconic Stanley Cup, also known as The Holy Grail, is making its way to Victoria.
On Saturday, January 20th, at Ship Point, the Lord Stanley Cup is set to arrive at 9:30 a.m., offering fans a rare opportunity for an up-close encounter. The cup will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., allowing enthusiasts to bask in the glory of this legendary trophy.
But the day has much more in store with Sportsnet presenting the 24th annual Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada, broadcasting live from Ship Point.
Ron MacLean, along with a lineup of Sportsnet personalities, will be hosting the event, capturing the essence of Canada’s biggest single-day hockey celebration.
The festivities will include a 12.5-hour marathon broadcast featuring all seven Canadian NHL teams in action throughout the day.
From the PWHL matchup of New York vs Boston to the Toronto Maple Leafs facing the Vancouver Canucks, the day will be a hockey fans dream.
Special guests, including Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Lanny McDonald, Darcy Tucker, Wendel Clark, Canucks alumni Nathan LaFayette and Kirk McLean, and Victoria Royals coach James Patrick, will add star power to the event.
Randip Janda and Taqdeer Thindal will also cover Hockey Night in Canada in Punjabi live from Victoria.
Throughout the day, Sportsnet and Scotiabank will share powerful hockey stories, focusing on mental health and environmental sustainability. Nelly Furtado, a proud Victoria native and host of the 2024 JUNO Awards, will kick off the broadcast with a reflection on her hometown.
Brady Leavold, a former WHL player with a challenging journey, shared his story to raise awareness for mental health. NHL alum Andrew Ference, a champion of green initiatives, explored energy efficiency and sustainability at the Westhills Recreation Complex in Langford, alongside Sarika Cullis-Suzuki.
Sportsnet will also share the story of Micah Zandee-Hart, the first BC-born player on Canada’s Women’s Olympic team, recently claimed gold in Beijing. Now, she takes on a new role as the inaugural captain of the New York PWHL team. A beacon of leadership and skill, Micah’s journey inspires young women in Victoria, showcasing the power of carving one’s own path.
With the Stanley Cup on display and inspiring stories echoing through the air, Victoria truly embraced the spirit of Hockey Day in Canada.
The Victoria Royals will also be in action on Saturday, January 20th at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre as they take on the Kamloops Blazers. Puck drops early at 4:05 p.m.
Click here for a full list of Hockey Day in Canada events happening this week.
