Inspiring the next generation: Celebrating Indigenous female hockey players at Scotiabank Arena

More than 60 U13 girls’ hockey players from the Little Native Hockey League (Little NHL) attended a special event hosted by Imperial at Scotiabank Arena on March 11.
Since its inception in 1971, the tournament has provided a space for young First Nations athletes to develop their skills and embrace the game. This year’s tournament featured 270 teams including 47 female teams.
The event featured a keynote speech from Canadian hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser and an appearance by Kalley Armstrong, an elite hockey player with Indigenous heritage who is the granddaughter of Toronto Maple Leafs legend George Armstrong.
Participants took part in dressing room tours, interactive activities, and even got to hit the court for some basketball fun with Carleton, the Toronto Maple Leafs mascot.

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As more than 60 young hockey players from the Little Native Hockey League (Little NHL) tournament filled the halls of Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, one thing was clear: this event was about more than just the game. It was a celebration of Indigenous culture, community, and the power of sport to bring people together – values that have long been championed by Imperial and Esso.

As part of our ongoing support for inclusivity and growth in the game of hockey, Imperial and Esso hosted a special event at Scotiabank Arena, bringing together U13 female players from the Little NHL. The evening featured an inspiring keynote from four-time Olympic gold medalist and Toronto Maple Leafs’ assistant general manager Hayley Wickenheiser, who encouraged the young athletes to keep chasing their dreams – and to keep breaking down barriers.

“Events like this are so important because they give young girls the opportunity to see what’s possible,” says Cheryl Seaward, partnerships manager for Esso. “Hockey is for everyone, and we’re proud to continue supporting programs that help grow the game and make it more inclusive.”

The players also had the opportunity to tour the Maple Leafs’ and Toronto Raptors’ dressing rooms, take part in a hockey card photo booth, get a signed puck from Hayley – and have some fun with basketball on the Raptor’s court.

Chico Ralf, president of The Little NHL, said the event will leave lasting memories. “This is more than just a hockey event,” he said. “It’s a gathering of our people where the girls here can make friendships and bonds. The event put on by Imperial and Esso is an experience of a lifetime and our young girls will never forget this night.”

Imperial and Esso have a long-standing commitment to supporting women’s hockey at all levels. From Esso Fun Days, which introduce girls to the game, to sponsoring the Esso Cup and Canada’s National Women’s Team and now the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), we are dedicated to making hockey more accessible for the next generation.

“Following the success of last year’s Little NHL event at the Hockey Hall of Fame, this year’s gathering at Scotiabank Arena built on that momentum offering these young players a chance to learn, connect, and hopefully be inspired,” says Cheryl. “As the night wrapped up, I think we all really felt that the future of women’s hockey is bright, and these young athletes are ready to lead the way.”