Nepean Sportsplex ready for the world, Rink to host 2013 women's world hockey championships B pool

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Brier Dodge

EMC sports - The Nepean Sportsplex will be a host rink for the 2013 women's world hockey championships, in April of next year.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to have such a prestigious event," said Mark Magee, portfolio manager at the Nepean Sportsplex and part of the host committee.

The A pool of the top four teams, to be determined at this year's world championship in Vermont, will play at Scotiabank Place.

The B pool of the fifth to eighth place teams will be playing on the Steve Yzerman rink at the Nepean Sportsplex.

This year, the B pool in Vermont includes Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia and Germany.

"In terms of location, it has a great proximity," said 2013 IIHF world championship general manager Valerie Hughes, "and a great tie in with the Ontario Women's Hockey Association, who were a co-bidder with this event."

Ottawa is hosting the world championship at the same time as the women's hockey provincial championship will be played across city rinks.

Magee said he's excited for the Sportsplex to host top female players, because they act as role models and help encourage more younger girls to get involved in hockey.

After the Hockey Canada site tours, the Sportsplex staff were ecstatic to hear that one of the three ice surfaces had been chosen to host the international teams.

"We thought it was a shot in the dark," Magee said, adding the facility marks its 40th anniversary in June 2013, and there's no better way to celebrate than hosting the championship.

RENOVATIONS COMPLETE

Over the past few years, the Sportsplex has gone through many renovations to update the facility.

Magee said programs and games on the rink are going to be bumped for a week, and that they will work with the Nepean Raiders, who also play on the Yzerman surface, to ensure that their playoff schedule can still run smoothly.

Ticket packages have already gone on sale for the event, and individual tickets will be released closer to the event.

Current ticket packages include all games at Scotiabank Place, where Team Canada will more than likely be playing all of their games. Prices range from $184 to $289.