Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey tournament allowing girls for first time in six decades

Girls’ teams have been invited to participate in the International PeeWee Hockey Tournament in Quebec this February for the first time in over six decades.

The tournament was founded in 1960 to coincide with the Quebec Winter Carnival and allow international competition to players under 12 years old.

Just 12 girls’ teams were invited from around the world, including one in Ontario, the U13 AA Durham West Lightning.

Chloe Sandiford is a forward on the team, and she wrote a letter, in French, to the tournament officials after watching her older brother play last year in the hope her team was chosen.

“I was very excited for him to do the ceremonial face-off before the game. I was hoping that one day I would also have the chance to play in the tournament,” read the letter. “I was so excited when I learned that a women’s division would be added to the tournament this year. I hope our team is accepted … I hope to see you in Quebec in February.”

Chloe tells CityNews she isn’t sure if her letter helped, but she can’t wait. “I was excited when we discovered that I would be playing in the NHL-size rink. It’s going to be amazing.”

Chloe’s father, Bill, said he got to experience the tournament last year with his son, and it was “unbelievable.”

“This is one of the most prestigious hockey tournaments in the world. There’s a lot of history to this tournament. Some of the greatest players have played the game played in this tournament, Connor McDavid and many others. ”

When Bill found out they would be letting girls in this year, he worked with the coaches of Chloe’s team to put the application together and even suggested Chloe write the letter to help them stand out.

He said finding out they had been chosen was a “special moment.”

“When you have sons and daughters for years, you would see so much more opportunity for the boys. And that’s slowly starting to change and change in the right direction and one that’s been deserved and coming for a long time,” said Bill.

“It feels special because it’s the first year it’s happening, and we were excited about it. And it’s kind of [an opportunity] to show everybody who we are,” added Chloe.

He adds they hope they keep expanding to allow more girls’ teams into the tournament.

“Hopefully, it works out well. And they keep expanding it to more and more teams in the years to come. Sixty-three years to happen. But we’re excited to be part of the first one.”

The Durham West Lightning has only lost one game this season in league play. They’ll have the chance to play teams from around the world, including Switzerland, England and France, when the tournament begins on Feb. 8.

However, it won’t be the first time Chloe’s played in an international competition. She was the only girl on a boys’ team that had the chance to play in Hong Kong back in 2019, where she scored the tournament-winning goal.