CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with BC Hockey, the Burnaby Minor Hockey Association and Tourism Burnaby, announced Thursday that Canada’s National Women’s Team alumna Cheryl Pounder, who won two Olympic and six world championship gold medals, will serve as guest speaker at the 2013 Esso Cup awards banquet.

The 2013 Esso Cup, Canada’s National Female Midget Championship, takes place April 21-27 at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre in Burnaby, B.C. The 2013 Esso Cup awards banquet takes place 9-11 a.m. on Friday, April 26 at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown in Burnaby. The event is open to the public and includes breakfast, with tickets available for just $40 each by emailing rwiwchar@hockeycanadaca.

The 2013 Esso Cup awards banquet will recognize the tournament’s top goaltender, defenceman and forward, as well as the most valuable player, most sportsmanlike player and top scorer. The 2013 Isobel Gathorne-Hardy Award, recognizing an active female player who demonstrates dedication and leadership in the game and whose characteristics reflect those of the award’s namesake, will also be presented at the breakfast banquet.

“The Esso Cup is a perfect example of just how far the female game has come, and it’s evident in the skill and talent fans will see on the ice in Burnaby,” Pounder said. “I can’t wait to catch some really great games, and perhaps even share some stories from my own playing days.”

“Having accomplished Team Canada alumna Cheryl Pounder speak to 2013 Esso Cup participants will serve as wonderful inspiration for them,” said Riley Wiwchar, manager of marketing services and events for Hockey Canada. “We look forward to hearing her words of wisdom, and to recognizing the deserving award winners who will be honoured at this year’s breakfast awards banquet.”

The fifth annual Esso Cup is being hosted by the Fraser Valley Phantom, who will face off against five provincial and regional champions from Pacific, West, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic. The six teams will compete in a five-day round robin, followed by semifinals and the bronze and gold medal games.

The gold medal game will air on TSN/RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, at 6 p.m. PT on Saturday, April 27. Please check your local listings for broadcast times in your area. All preliminary round games, as well as the semifinals and bronze medal game, will be available for viewing online by FASTHockey at hockeycanada.fasthockey.com.

Full-tournament ticket packages for general admission to all 19 games, including the semifinals and both medal games, can be purchased for just $60 each, plus applicable fees, by clicking HERE. Please email [email protected] for details on available group rates. Some seating restrictions apply.

MEDIA NOTE: For 2013 Esso Cup interview requests, please contact Hockey Canada communications coordinator Kristen Lipscombe at (403) 826-4819 or [email protected].

For more information on the 2013 Esso Cup, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca/essocup, or follow along through social media at www.facebook.com/essocup and www.twitter.com/hc_essocup.