A Western Hockey League (WHL) exhibition match, involving the Prince George Cougars, is hoping for a sell-out crowd in order to benefit a northern B.C. hospital.
The Cats will play a pair of games against the Edmonton Oil Kings in Dawson Creek at the Encana Events Centre prior to the start of the 2019-20 season.
This will be the first time Prince George or a WHL franchise has ever played a contest in the place dubbed as ‘Mile Zero’ on the Alaska Highway.
Dawson Creek, you ready?
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) March 26, 2019
We're playing a two-game exhibition series against the @EdmOilKings at the @EventsCentreDC in September! | #WHL #DawsonCreek
đź“° https://t.co/sUsiwYI7sV pic.twitter.com/hAxo84gyKL
Now, you’re probably thinking, why should I drive up north on Highway 97 for close to four hours to see the Cougars play in a different city?
Well, all proceeds from the WHL event are going towards the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Foundation, set to aid local patients in need of extra care.
“We love the opportunity to head to Dawson Creek and showcase the Prince George Cougars to a new crowd,” said Cougars Vice-President of Business Andy Beesley in a team release. “The Peace Region is home to many incredible athletes and even our recent roster showcases that with both Connor Bowie and Austin Crossley from Fort St. John in our ranks.”
.@PGCougars skaters Connor Bowie (left) & Austin Crossley (right) call nearby Fort St. John, B.C. home. pic.twitter.com/Ht5wKnSXS5
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 26, 2019
Dawson Creek has hosted several international hockey tournaments in previous years, including both the 2015 and 2017 World Under-17 Challenge, and will soon host the 2019 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in December, becoming the fourth B.C. city to do so.
The exhibition tilts between Prince George and Edmonton take place Sept. 12 and 14, with puck drop at 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. respectively.
More information is available on the Prince George Cougars’ website.
