The matinee game will mark the first time the two teams will meet since facing off against each other in the 2016 Clarkson Cup championship at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa last March. Les Canadiennes boast five Olympians in their ranks, including captain Marie-Philip Poulin, Caroline Ouellette, Charline Labonté, Lauriane Rougeau, and Julie Chu. Eight Olympians, including two-time Olympic gold medalist, Meaghan Mikkelson, will suit up for the Inferno.
"We're very excited to be able to host Les Canadiennes for the first time in the home of the Montreal Canadiens," said Canadiens owner, president and CEO, Geoff Molson. "We look forward to giving fans a chance to see some of the best female hockey players in the world live in our building. This is another example of our organizations working together towards our common goal of growing the game at both the professional and grassroots levels in Quebec."
The Canadiens announced a partnership agreement with Les Canadiennes in September 2015 that includes providing both promotional and financial support to the Montreal-based CWHL franchise. In addition to hosting regular skills clinics throughout the year, the Canadiens also launched the team's inaugural all-girls hockey camp at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard in August.
"The season is a landmark for the CWHL as we celebrate our 10th anniversary," said CWHL commissioner, Brenda Andress. "We are thrilled to partner with the Montreal Canadiens to bring Les Canadiennes and their heritage celebrations to one of the world's biggest hockey stages as there is no better place in Quebec to celebrate both the women's game and the incredible legacy of the Montreal team and its players over the past decade."
Puck drop is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on December 10. Tickets will be sold for $15 each and will be available for purchase as of Friday, November 11, at 1 p.m. on
canadiens.com
.
About the CWHL
The CWHL is the premier, professionally-run women's hockey league in the world. It enables elite female hockey players to pursue their dreams of competing at the highest level possible while enhancing the lives of others through exceptional athleticism, entertainment and motivation. The league is centrally funded, with all participating teams in the CWHL receiving equal access to financial support and given the same opportunities to succeed. The CWHL is a not-for-profit organization, with every dollar going towards building a league that is dedicated to raising the profile of women's hockey, providing a place for the best female players in the world to compete and inspiring the next generation of female hockey heroines.
