CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association, Tourism Hamilton and the Stoney Creek Girls Hockey Association, unveiled Friday the schedule for the 2014 Esso Cup and announced that ticket packages for Canada’s National Female Midget Championship are now on sale.

The sixth annual national championship takes place April 20-26 at the Gateway Ice Centre in Stoney Creek, Ont. The Stoney Creek Sabres will serve as the 2014 Esso Cup host team, and will face off against five regional champions from Atlantic, Ontario, Pacific and West in a five-day preliminary round, followed by semifinals and medal games.

Full-tournament ticket packages for general admission to all 19 games, including the semifinals and both medal games, can be purchased for just $45 each, plus applicable fees, by clicking HERE. Please email [email protected] for more information. Some seating restrictions apply.

“These ticket packages are the most cost effective way to see the top female Midget teams from across Canada compete for the Esso Cup crown,” OWHA president Fran Rider said. “They’re selling fast, so get yours now, and ensure you don’t miss any of the action when Canada’s National Female Midget Championship comes to Hamilton and Stoney Creek next month.”

“This marks the first time the Esso Cup has been hosted in Ontario, which has always been and continues to be a strong and supportive women’s hockey community,” said Dean McIntosh, director of events and properties for Hockey Canada. “We can’t wait for fans to filter through the doors of the Gateway Ice Centre to see some of the best up-and-coming female players in the country.”

The gold medal game will air on TSN/RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, with the puck dropping at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on Saturday, April 26. Please check your local listings for broadcast times in your area. All preliminary round games, as well as the semifinals Friday, April 25 and bronze medal game, earlier Saturday, will be available for viewing online by FASTHockey at www.hockeycanada.ca/essocup.

MEDIA NOTE: For 2014 Esso Cup interview requests, please contact Hockey Canada communications coordinator Kristen Lipscombe at (403) 826-4819 or [email protected].

For more information on the 2014 Esso Cup, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca/essocup, and follow along through social media at www.facebook.com/essocup and www.twitter.com/hc_essocup.