"Having hosted a similar tournament in 2019, this year's event will be even bigger and better, thanks to the addition of the youth girl's competition," Ford Ice Center Vice President and General Manager Danny Butler said. "In combining collegiate and Tier I Girls hockey on the same weekend, the young players will have an exciting opportunity to learn and draw inspiration from elite women's hockey talent. It has been amazing to witness the growth of girl's hockey in Middle Tennessee, and we look forward to sustaining that growth for years to come."
Amidst the NHL's Gender Equality Month, this announcement comes shortly after the Nashville Predators and Ford Ice Centers launched the newest Preds Girls Hockey programs and Go Skate! program, which were made possible through the support of the League's Industry Growth Fund. Building on the excitement generated by these programs, as well as the record-breaking 2019 NWHL All-Star Weekend in Nashville, the Predators will be joined in November by Total Package Hockey to host the showcase events.
"The Nashville Predators continue to lead by example in hockey, but most importantly, they also continue to do so in the community," Total Package Hockey CEO Nathan Bowen said. "This support of and investment in growing women's and girl's hockey is just another of the many examples of the Predators organization's consistent commitment and actions."
This announcement also comes one day after the start of the 2021 NCAA Women's Frozen Four, which is currently being hosted in Erie, Pa., by Mercyhurst for the second time in school history, marking the first major women's hockey tournament since the 2019 World Championship. Boston College, having appeared in 12 NCAA tournaments and seven Frozen Fours, advanced to the Quarterfinals this year, as did Colgate in their second-ever tournament appearance. Despite falling short in 2021, Minnesota boasts six NCAA titles and 17 appearances, speaking to the caliber of competition that will be on display at Ford Ice Center this November.
In 2022, Ford Ice Center will host another installment of the tournament.
Following Thanksgiving, this two-part event will provide an exciting and budget-friendly activity for families and hockey fans in the Nashville area while also furthering the growth of women's and girl's hockey. In the coming weeks, additional information regarding the event and purchasing tickets will be available
