It's official! Hometown Hockey is coming to Airdrie this winter.

Mayor Peter Brown was joined by members of City Council and the Airdrie Minor Hockey Association outside Genesis Place this morning (September 6) for the announcement. Mayor Brown said it could be one the biggest events the City has ever had.

"People will know Airdrie, Alberta. It's one of the most watched hockey programs, or any program, in Canada. We're getting great exposure and it's not really costing the community anything"

The event will run from December 16th to 17th outside the entrance to the Twin Arenas of Genesis Place.

Airdrie is one of only four Alberta communities to make the Hometown Hockey list for the 2017-2018 season. Spruce Grove, Lacombe and Canmore will also host the events, which include numerous hockey activities and a live broadcast of an NHL game on the Sunday night.

Director of Hockey Operations for Airdrie Minor Hockey Darrin Harrold said the local teams will play a big role in the festivities.

"We've got roughly 1,500 kids that have registered for this year coming up in almost 85 teams. It'll be huge for the participation with the kids, there's going to be hockey going on all weekend."

Exact details of the events won't be made known until closer to the dates. Regardless, Mayor Brown expects that they will attract hockey fans from Airdrie and beyond.

"I think it's going to be an attraction for people from Calgary. If you're a hockey fan you're going to come to Airdrie to check it out. We're going to draw from an area of over a million people to participate in this event."

The Hometown Hockey celebrations will culminate on December 17th with the live broadcast featuring hosts Ron McLean and Tara Slone and a live showing of the Calgary Flames taking on the Vancouver Canucks.

 

Questions, comments or story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com