Major Ice Hockey Officials From Boston Visit Belfast

Many major ice hockey officials from Boston are in Belfast this week ahead of the Friendship Four tournament taking place at the SSE Arena in November.

The Inspection Team for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) games are in the city today, 09 October, and tomorrow. They were officially welcomed by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Arder Carson, at a special reception in the City Hall on Thursday.

Supported by Belfast City Council and the NCAA, Friendship Four tournament is a landmark event for the city as it will be the first time the games are played outside the US.

The Inspection Team visiting Belfast this week includes ECAC Hockey Commissioner Steve Hagwell, Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna and Umass Lowell Director of Athletics Dana Skinner.

They will be carrying out an inspection tour of the SSE Arena and will also be watching the Belfast Giants play against Coventry Blaze on Sunday afternoon.

Members of the team will also be hosting a presentation on Friday at the W5 about the NCAA with young athletes and coaches from across Northern Ireland in attendance to hear about the opportunities available to young athletes in America.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Arder Carson, said: "I'm delighted to welcome the Inspection Team to Belfast and hope their visit will be a very productive one – not only through their remit of inspecting the SSE Arena ahead of the Friendship Four games but getting to visit some of our city’s other top attractions while in Belfast.

"The buzz generated already from preparations for the Friendship Four ice-hockey tournament in both Belfast and Boston has been amazing and it can only get better."

(CD)