Rogers announced Wednesday the Cowichan Valley will be part of the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour for the 2017-18 season.
Rogers Hometown Hockey, now in its fourth season, will bring host Ron MacLean and co-host Tara Slone to Cowichan for a special live pre-game show to air on Sportsnet prior to the Sunday, January 21, 2018 nationally broadcast game between the Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets.
The tour arrives in the Cowichan Valley on Saturday, January 20 and stays through Sunday, January 21, 2018. The free, family-friendly weekend will include interactive games and activities celebrating all things hockey, plus live entertainment, a chance to meet NHL alumni and lots of contests.
“Having the Cowichan Valley named as a stop on the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour is an incredible honour and we are thrilled to share our stories with the nation,” said Jon Lefebure, Cowichan Valley Regional District Chair and North Cowichan Mayor. “I invite everyone to join us for the fun and excitement. This fantastic showcase provides an opportunity for all families, children of all ages and of course hockey fans, to participate in this interactive event.”
Local minor hockey associations will also be a huge part of the event and will receive exclusive access and perks during the weekend. It will culminate in an outdoor viewing party of an NHL broadcast on the Sunday, with MacLean and Slone hosting live from the Sportsnet Mobile Studio. MacLean and Slone will feature grassroots hockey stories and tales of local players that helped build Cowichan’s hockey community.
The estimated economic impact for the Cowichan Valley from the event is $1 million.