HOCKEY TEAMS LACE ‘EM UP TO BEAT THE COMPETITION — AND CANCER!

Annual Taylor Cup Pond Hockey Championship raises funds for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation’s cancer research fund in memory of Judy Taylor

ORILLIA, January 24, 2007 – Starting February 2, 2007, 30 hockey teams — that’s more than 150 players — will lace ‘em up and face off on Sparrow Lake, just north of Orillia, for the Taylor Cup Pond Hockey Championship. The annual weekend event is held in memory of Judy Taylor who lost her battle against cancer in 2003. Proceeds go to the Princess Margaret Hospital Sarcoma Research Fund. This year’s goal is to raise more than $120,000.

The Taylor Cup Pond Hockey Championship is old-school, 4-on-4 pond hockey – the way it was meant to be played! The three-day round-robin tournament provides hockey lovers with a chance to get away with friends and family to enjoy a fun and competitive weekend — all for a good cause.

“We’re ready to hit the ice again for Judy — and a great cause,” said Lisa Cox, Tournament Director.  “Family, friends and hockey players from all over Ontario are joining us in the fight against cancer. Every dollar helps and we couldn’t do this without the support and dedication of players, friends, family and pond hockey enthusiasts.”

Throughout the tournament weekend, hockey players will pay homage to their Canadian roots with wide-open, old-time shinny. Each team will play a minimum of four, 30-minute games, including a game “under the lights” on Friday evening, right on Sparrow Lake. The three-day round-robin tournament features 4-on-4 play, no goalies and nets that measure only 6’ wide by 10” high. An off-ice Pond Marshall monitors each game.

This year’s host resort, Bayview-Wildwood, will feature a number of activities for all ages throughout the weekend including a rink for free skates, a Saturday Casino night, horse-drawn sleigh rides, a pizza and movie night for the kids, as well as access to all the amenities of the resort including indoor pool, hot tub and spa services.

About Princess Margaret Hospital

Princess Margaret Hospital and its research arm, the Ontario Cancer Institute, have achieved an international reputation as global leaders in the fight against cancer. Princess Margaret Hospital is a member of the University Health Network, which also includes Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital. All three are teaching hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto.