Ice Hockey's Homecoming Tournament - The Gardiner Cup

Help celebrate Ice Hockey’s Homecoming with the biggest Ice Hockey  event ever to be staged in the UK

The Edinburgh Capitals, Scotland’s only Elite league Ice Hockey team, are hosting a four team tournament to celebrate Scotland’s contribution to the game of Ice Hockey and “Ice Hockey’s Homecoming” The teams will be fighting it out to win the Gardiner Cup.

The tournament will feature two American Hockey League (AHL) teams the Toronto Marlies (AHL Affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs) and the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens) and 2 UK Elite league teams the Edinburgh Capitals and the Belfast Giants. It will take place at Murrayfield Ice Rink in Edinburgh. The timetable is below.

•    Thursday the 24th September - a “head to head” clash between the Hamilton Bulldogs V’s Toronto Marlies

•    Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th - a Festival of Ice Hockey, a four team tournament where the best of UK Hockey face off against two of Canada’s top teams.

Scott Neil the Managing Director of The Edinburgh Capitals said “This is an inspiring tournament made possible by the help and support of the City of Edinburgh Council. At a time when we did not think such an ambitious event could be staged in Edinburgh the Council stepped in with their support. We are delighted that such prestigious teams are coming over from the Canada and in addition the Belfast Giants and we welcome them and their fans to Edinburgh”

Scott added “We have also worked with Homecoming Scotland and VisitScotland whose help and advice has made this dream become a reality.

The Gardiner Cup celebrates the life of Charles ‘Chuck’ Gardiner. Known as the wandering Scotsman, he was one of the games pre-eminent goal tenders during the 1920’s and 30’s. Born in Edinburgh on Henderson Row he then moved to Canada with his family eventually settling in Winnipeg. He attained NHL stardom with the Chicago Blackhawks where he guarded the cage from 1927 – 1934. Prior to his untimely death in 1934 he led the Blackhawks to their first Stanley cup win and in 1945 was the first Scot to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Naming the tournament cup after this great player seemed a fitting accolade for Chuck and his family.

In Scotland’s year of Homecoming it is only fitting that a game that Scottish people played a key role in inventing comes home.  This is the highest level of competitive ice hockey to be seen in the UK and without the support of our sponsors this event would not have been possible.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, Festivals and Events Champion for the City of Edinburgh said: "We're in for a fabulous and unprecedented spectacle here in September with the arrival of these two top ice hockey teams from Canada. This will be the first time an event like this has taken place in the UK so it really is hats off to Edinburgh Capitals for making it happen. "Ice Hockey's Homecoming" will showcase the sport being played at the very highest levels and will undoubtedly inspire many of our young people to get involved in the sport. Yet again we are proud to demonstrate to the watching world that Edinburgh truly excels at delivering premier events."

The Scottish people have given the world many great things. Imagine a world without the television; telephones; computer games; and golf.  Scottish immigrants to Canada helped to invent the great game of Ice Hockey and this tournament celebrates this contribution to the fastest team sport on the planet.

Peter Lederer, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: “Canada is an important market for Scotland with around 120,000 visitors coming here every year.  This tournament will not only bring  direct benefit to Edinburgh through the teams and supporters staying in the city but will also allow Scotland to be showcased across the world during a time when Homecoming events are happening across the country.”  

Holiday Inn Edinburgh is the official accommodation partner for the tournament. It is the largest hotel in Edinburgh with 303 bed rooms; General Manager Philip Counsell said “We are extremely excited to be a part of this unique event.  Not only do we look forward to hosting the Visiting Teams but also the fans and families that this type of tournament will attract.”

Help celebrate Ice Hockey’s Homecoming to Scotland. For full details of the event and to purchase tickets go to www.icehockeyshomecoming.com and be part of this unique sporting event.