Portage College President Dr. Steve Price is hearing high praise – and giving it himself – for the recent weekend of dynamic hockey that saw the Portage Voyageurs host the Chinese national hockey team.
“There were so many elements and people involved – what a wonderful way to provide great sports entertainment to our community for the weekend,” said Price.
The hockey event, part of a road-trip for the Chinese men’s team that has seen them play teams in the Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference (ACAC), brought two games to the Voyageurs home ice at Lac La Biche’s Bold Centre. The games – one on January 23 and the other on Jan. 24, drew about 400 fans to the Bold Centre each night. The province-wide matchups with ACAC teams began in mid-January and the international visitors will return to China on February 7.
Team China Coach Perry Pearn was impressed by the community, the level of support, and the skill of the Portage team. Pearn, who was born in Stettler, Alberta and has been on the coaching staff for several NHL teams as well as the ACAC’s NAIT Ooks, said the hospitality was tremendous.
“Being from small town Alberta myself, I was not surprised by the helpfulness, interest and kindness of everyone we interacted with. As an Albertan it made me proud to see how incredibly well our staff and players were treated,” he said.
Pearn was also impressed with the Voyageur’s home ice rink.
“We, players and staff were extremely impressed with the facilities at the Bold Center, a great community facility,” he said.
Games between the Portage College Voyageurs and the Chinese U20 men’s team drew 400 fans to each of the two nights of hockey action at Lac La Biche’s Bold Centre. The Voyageurs regularly record the most spectators of ACAC teams across the province. Tickets to Voyageur home games are free thanks to a partnership with Britton’s Your Independent Grocer.
Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov appreciates the international attention. He says working with partners like Portage College provides many opportunities for the community.
“The County continues to attract high-calibre events to the areas because of our investments into facilities and supporting the sports-tourism industry, along with supporting the College and other programs,” said Reutov, who took part in the ceremonial puck drop with the Portage College president.
Price said the weekend games increase the growing presence of the College and its teams in the region.
“I feel the pride in Voyageur athletics throughout our community. And giving the community the opportunity to see our team compete on par with an international team … I’m very proud of Portage,” he said.
College brings more athletes
The Portage Athletics department continues a busy month this weekend, bringing more athletes and attention to the community and its facilities. From Jan 30 to Feb. 1, the Voyageurs are hosting the ACAC Curling Championships at the Lac La Biche Curling Club. The event draws men’s, women’s and mixed college-level teams from across Alberta to the Bold Centre ice sheets. The games go all weekend, with the gold medal draws taking place on Sunday at 3 pm. The full weekend schedule can be found on the Portage College Voyageurs social media pages.
The weekend also brings more hockey action as the Voyageurs defend their current playoff spot in a home game against the NAIT Ooks. That game goes Friday night at the Bold Centre, with the opening puck drop at 6 pm.