Belfast pupils to back US teams at Friendship Four

Free Friendship Four tickets are being provided to hundreds of pupils. Credit: Belfast City Council

Schoolchildren from across Belfast are set to cheer on top US college ice hockey teams as they compete in the prestigious Friendship Four tournament at the SSE Arena.

This year’s event follows on from the success of the inaugural tournament last year, which saw competitive NCAA games played outside North America for the very first time.

Now, the Friendship Four is making its return and the standard of hockey will arguably be even higher this time around.

Quinnipiac University’s Bobcats, University of Vermont’s Catamounts, St Lawrence University’s Saints, and University of Massachusetts’ Minutemen will compete for crucial league points.

But the honour of following in the footsteps of UMass Lowell and lifting the Belpot trophy will also be at stake.

Some of the young players who travelled to Northern Ireland with their college teams last year have already achieved the ultimate dream and gone on to make their debuts in the NHL.

That will be the goal for some of those making the trip this year, one again giving local ice hockey fans the chance to watch stars of the future before they go on to make names for themselves.

And to open that opportunity up to young people in particular, Belfast City Council is handing out free tickets to the first game of the tournament to schoolchildren across the city.

They will also be visiting W5 to take part in interactive workshops aimed at promoting STEM subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

Belfast Lord Mayor Brian Kingston, who will drop the puck at the first game to launch the tournament, is looking forward to officially welcoming the visiting teams.

The players and their coaching teams have already started arriving and will be hosted at a civic reception in Belfast City Hall on Wednesday.

“It’s fantastic to host such a prestigious tournament in Belfast and it strengthens our reputation for hosting major sporting events in the city,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Once again, hundreds of children from schools and community groups from across the city will be invited to watch the action unfold on Friday 25 November for free.

“I would also encourage as many people as possible to come down to the SSE Arena on Friday and Saturday to cheer on the teams and be part of the Friendship Four experience.”

Lord Mayor Brian Kingston promotes the Friendship Four at Visit Belfast with Shane Johnson and Steve Thornton from the Belfast Giants. Credit: Belfast City Council

The tournament itself, and the surrounding boost to education and to tourism, is all part of continuing to strengthen ties between Belfast and Boston as part of the Sister Cities Agreement.

Having teams compete for the Belpot draws inspiration from the hugely popular Boston Beanpot tournament – a major highlight of the sporting calendar in the US.

The Friendship Four will be contested at the SSE Arena, home of the Belfast Giants, on Friday and Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Giants will also be in action – but on the road, against the Nottingham Panthers and the Manchester Storm.

FIXTURES

  • University of Massachusetts’ Minutemen v University of Vermont’s Catamounts: Friday 21 Nov, 4pm

  • St Lawrence University’s Saints v Quinnipiac University’s Bobcats: Friday 21 Nov, 7.30pm

  • Third Place Decider: Saturday 22 Nov, 4pm

  • Grand Final: Saturday 22 Nov, 7pm