Membertou hockey hero welcomes hosting of women's tournament

Edward Christmas, a 69-year-old Membertou elder and former Sydney Millionaires player, attended multiple games of the 2026 IIHF U18 Women's World Hockey Championship held in Membertou and praised the event for inspiring young people and highlighting local facilities.

Edward Christmas, a 69-year-old Membertou elder and former Sydney Millionaires player, attended several games of the 2026 IIHF U18 Women's World Hockey Championship in his community. He said he never expected to see an international tournament at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre. The early games were held in Membertou First Nation in Cape Breton and involved teams from eight countries. Medal games were scheduled for Centre 200 in downtown Sydney. Key details: - Christmas attended the opening Canada–Switzerland game on January 10; it was his second game of the day and he attended multiple games during the week-long tournament. - He has played hockey since childhood and skated with the Sydney Millionaires in the mid-1970s. - Christmas has followed women’s hockey for about 20 years and praised the players as disciplined, enthusiastic, and quick learners. - His face is displayed on a wall at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre along with other local hockey figures. - Membertou has two regulation-size rinks and hosted the tournament’s early games, while larger-capacity Centre 200 was set to host the medal rounds. Summary: The tournament brought international U18 women’s hockey to Membertou and drew thousands of spectators, which Christmas said is inspiring for young people and especially young women. The event also showcased Membertou’s facilities and community pride, with medal games scheduled at Centre 200 in Sydney.