1. Former NHL and International Ice Hockey All Stars participate
2. Day long activities by Jari Kurri ice hockey school
3. Part of Celebrate Canada 2009! week-long activities
Dubai Ice Rink at The Dubai Mall, one of the newest family leisure destinations in the city, hosted Canadian and Russian dignitaries and key ice hockey professionals over the weekend as part of Celebrate Canada 2009!, which runs until March 17, 2009. The highlights of the weekend’s events at Dubai Ice Rink included exhibition games played between Dubai Mighty Camels and the former NHL and International Ice Hockey All Stars. The weekend long ice hockey games at The Dubai Mall attracted thousands of spectators and mall visitors.
The Jari Kurri Ice Hockey school, led by Jari Kurri, retired Finnish professional ice hockey player and a Hockey Hall of Famer, attracted over 200 children between the ages of 5 and 18 years. Jarri Kurri was very impressed with the welcome he received in Dubai. He said: “The support of the Canadian expatriate and local community members has been terrific.“
Mr Suresh Bhatia, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Retail, said: “Our involvement in community events is an important part of further establishing The Dubai Mall as a preferred family retail and leisure destination. We were delighted to host Celebrate Canada 2009! at Dubai Ice Rink as part of their activities. The excitement and entertainment generated around Dubai Ice Rink over the weekend was electric and we were honoured to host such world-renowned ice hockey veterans as Jari Kurri, Ken Linseman and Yvan Cournoyer at our Olympic-sized Rink.â€
HE Sara Hradecky, Canadian Ambassador and Honorary Chairperson, Celebrate Canada 2009! said: “The two day event at Dubai Ice Rink was among the highlights of Canada Week. Ice Hockey is a huge Canadian past-time and so having the ability to host an ice hockey game on a professional, Olympic-sized venue really added to this year’s programme.â€
Dubai Ice Rink at The Dubai Mall is a multi-purpose venue featuring a year-round events calendar, with the ability to convert it into a concert hall or festive venue. The ice rink can host private functions and will soon launch Disco on ice and Birthday parties.
