December 8, 2015 – Today Mayor Keith Hobbs, along with representatives from the Lakehead University Thunderwolves Team and the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, announced that the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour is set to land in Thunder Bay on January 2 and 3, 2016 at Prince Arthur’s Landing in Marina Park.

The ultimate hockey festival, presented by Scotiabank and Dodge, will feature appearances by NHL and Allan Cup alumni, hometown hockey hero Greg Johnson, as well as additional special guests, all alongside Canadian icon Ron MacLean.

The two-day hockey celebration gets underway Saturday, Jan. 2 at 12 noon and concludes Sunday, Jan. 3 following the Rogers Hometown Hockey outdoor viewing party. The Sunday Sportsnet game features the Ottawa Senators vs. the Chicago Blackhawks, with a special pre-game show hosted live from Thunder Bay at Prince Arthurs Landing  by Ron MacLean from the Sportsnet Mobile Studio beginning at 6:30 pm on Sportsnet, alongside co-host Tara Slone.

“This is an amazing opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate all things hockey, and show all of Canada what we have to offer,” said Mayor Hobbs.

“There is no doubt that we are a city filled with hockey pride, and it is apparent in every local arena across our great community.”

The free hockey-themed weekend will feature interactive hockey games, activities, live local entertainment and food options for the whole family, including:

• Fireworks on Saturday at 6 pm
• Allan Cup on display
• Shelter House - Chance to win a signed jersey from Carter Hutton, Jordan Staal or Robert Bortuzzo
• Unique interactive experiences inside the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tent
• Scotiabank Community Locker Room - featuring meet and greets with NHL Alumni, interactive games and a Scotia Hockey Club commemorative jersey giveaway for youth 16 and under
• The Dodge Stow ‘n’ Go Challenge as well as a chance to win a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan and $5,000 for a local minor hockey association
• Sportsnet Be a Broadcaster - call an NHL game highlight reel alongside Sportsnet Central anchor Evanka Osmak
• Playmobil KidsZone with new Playmobil NHL hockey toys, face painting, Sportsnet Magazine cover shoot and sign-making
• McDonald’s® Ball Hockey Rink including pick-up games and hockey skills competitions, personalized hockey cards, as well as free McCafé® brewed coffee on site
• Free hot chocolate inside The Lodge, with a warming lounge and Adirondack chairs to escape the cold

All minor hockey teams are also encouraged to come down in their team colours to Prince Arthur’s Landing on Dec. 20 at 1 pm for the Winter Funday, where a video of hundreds of kids cheering for their hometown hockey pride will be shot for the National Broadcast!
 

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Contact:   Stacey Levanen, Communications Specialist – Corporate Communications, 625-3650 or                   slevanen@thunderbay.ca 
                  Sebastian Gatica, Senior Manager of Communications – Sportsnet, (w) 416.764.6368,
                  (m) 416.710.9953 sebastian.gatica@rci.rogers.com


Social Media Links:
Official website, Rogers Hometown Hockey www.hometownhockey.com
Facebook www.Facebook.com/RogersHometownHockey
Twitter @HometownHockey_ #HometownHockey
Instagram @HometownHockey