Esso Golden Ring Tournament returns to Calgary for 40th edition

Action got underway Friday in the Esso Golden Ring tournament in Calgary.

The 40th Esso Golden Ring Tournament is underway at several arenas throughout the city.

This year’s tournament features 181 teams, plus two NRL teams.

Around 2,600 players representing 181 teams (and two National Ringette League NRL teams) will play 369 games over the course of the tournament.

That includes 29 out-of-province teams from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec.

“It’s really cool to be in a big tournament and (playing) against big, hard teams,” said one player.

“It’s very exciting because it’s ,like, one of the biggest (tournaments),” said another participant. “We get to play teams from all over (Canada), so it’s really fun to play different teams that you don’t normally get to play.”

“I love the Esso Golden Ring,” said a third player, “because I get to meet other players from the city and town, and I also like talking with everybody too.”

It will be overseen by 125 referees at multiple venues across the city. The Esso Golden Ring Tournament runs through Sunday.