‘An exciting milestone’: PWHL Takeover Tour kicks off in Halifax Wednesday night

CTV’s Jonathan MacInnis broadcasts the PWHL Takeover Tour in Halifax.

The PWHL Takeover Tour kicks off in Halifax Wednesday night as the Montreal Victory face off against the Toronto Sceptres at the Scotiabank Centre.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League, which is in its second season, is made up of eight teams: Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver. The PWHL Takeover Tour features 16 neutral-site, regular-season games in an effort to expand the league’s reach beyond its home markets.

“Tonight’s an exciting milestone for us to be kicking off the PWHL Takeover Tour here in Halifax,” said Suzanne Fougere, executive vice president of strategy and business development at Events East. “We’re so excited that we have, not one, but two games – so a game tonight and another one in January.”

Games are also scheduled to be played in Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton, Quebec City, Winnipeg, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, and Washington.

“It’s really just amazing to see the growth in women’s sports and we’re so excited to be a part of tonight’s celebration,” said Fougere.

Toronto Sceptres captain Blayre Turnbull, who has also represented Canada at two Olympic Winter Games, says she’s excited to hit the ice in Halifax.

“It’s hard to describe how special it is to play a professional game in my home province,” said Turnbull, who is from Stellarton, N.S., in a YouTube video shared by the PWHL.

“Halifax is a really beautiful city. We played there last year in a Rivalry Series game, and the crowd was incredible,” said Toronto Sceptres forward Daryl Watts in the video.

When asked if the PWHL has a future in Halifax, Fougere said she hopes so.

“They are currently looking at expansion across North America and it’s a very competitive process. We’re always interested in expanding the mix of events that we host at Scotiabank Centre and, if they’re interested in Halifax, I can tell you that we’re very interested in them,” she said.

Halifax fans can greet the players as they arrive for Wednesday night’s game at the Takeover Tour Game Welcome Tunnel at the Scotiabank Centre’s Carmichael Street entrance from 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

“I encourage people to come early, make your signs, get excited and cheer on these women tonight,” said Fougere.

“There will be full merchandise available for PWHL as well as for the two teams competing this evening. So lots of opportunities to wear the brand loud and proud and celebrate the growth of the PWHL and cheer on your favourite team.”

The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. on TSN.

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