Play On! Canada hockey tournament returns to Marda Loop

One thousand players, twelve rinks, two days, all culminating in a massive street hockey tournament. Jillian Code reports on how Calgarians are taking in the event

By Rachneet Randhawa and Jillian Code

Posted Jul 31, 2022 11:32 am.

Last Updated Aug 1, 2022 6:13 am.

More than a thousand hockey players are taking to the streets in Calgary, playing a tournament aimed at increasing participation in sports, which Play On! Canada says it has taken a big hit throughout the pandemic and they’re trying to ramp it back up.

“There really is no city that’s more prepared and more progressive as it relates to getting out and playing again than Calgary. We’re delighted to be here,” said Scott Hill, the executive chair of Play On! Canada.

???? IT'S TIME TO PLAY ON! CALGARY! ????

Today’s event:

???? Marda Loop (33rd Ave SW – 14th St E/W)
???? Local Street Parking where available
???? Players can report directly to your first scheduled game!
SAT: 8 AM – 8PM
SUN PLAY-OFFS: 8 AM – 4.30PMhttps://t.co/o1cM61mS7M #playon pic.twitter.com/6BzcbGRcOm

— Play On! Canada (@PlayOnCanada) July 30, 2022

A thousand players, 12 rinks, and two days of street hockey all aimed at bringing people back together through sport.
“It’s a town that’s ready to get out, get active again, we’ve got this great active city initiative,” said Hill.

“This is just a reconnection of people through sport, and that’s really what sport is all about. It’s about teaming up and being together and making friends, doing something that we love,” said Hill.

The Marda Loop street replaced cars with street hockey players of all ages kicking off Play On! Canada’s national tour getting people together once again.

“While it’s smaller than it was pre-COVID, we are delighted with the number of teams that have registered, and with all the support from the Marda loop community, who are our first-time hosts,” said Hill.

Hill says each Play On! stop generates over $2 million dollars in economic impact, whether that be from hotels for out-of-town players, or from stopping at one of the many local businesses along the strip.

Team Kazakhstan is taking part in the event and says they’ve been enjoying the event. Here’s what the team members had to say:

“Seeing that they closed 33rd for a couple of blocks, I thought it was just gonna be some random community parking lot thing but no, this is really big, it’s really awesome.”

“After all, it’s just fun hockey [and] doesn’t really matter if we win or lose.

“I think once you’re out there for like 30 seconds, your face is already burning up, so lots of water today.”

The team says Calgary’s nearly-30 degree temperatures add a level of difficulty to the game.

The tournament runs Saturday and Sunday.