Calgary inclusive hockey tournament hits ice
Posted Apr 9, 2023 12:04 pm.
Last Updated Apr 9, 2023 12:14 pm.
An inclusive hockey tournament hit the ice Saturday in Calgary at the Flames Community Arena.
“We’re having fun, we haven’t won, but we’re having fun and that’s what matters,” said Justin Connelly, Vancouver forward.
Pride Tape was western Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ hockey tournament, bringing in teams from all over.
“We’ve got one from Seattle, we’ve got two from Vancouver, two from Edmonton, and then three from Calgary,” said Dylan Mitansky, a board member with the Inclusive Hockey Tournament.
The participants spanned all skill levels and identities, making sure everyone is represented, even down to the on-ice officials.
“We just need to keep standing our ground, we just need to keep promoting inclusivity – and that goes for everything – women playing the sport, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ people, different type of sledge for example, people that are older, people that are beginners. We’ve got the right stuff, we’ve just got to keep fostering it and letting it grow,” said Mitansky.
READ MORE:
Connelly gives kudos to the Calgary Flames and the NHL for the successful Pride nights taking place across the league.
As the Flames’ Pride jerseys prove to be popular, the Flames say the Pride jersey auction was among the most successful jersey auctions.
“That’s amazing. It’s really cool to hear because it just shows… there’s so much negative stuff online these days, but it’s good to see the actual support,” said Connelly.
