FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2000

GRIFFINS NAME HISTORIC QUEENS PARK ARENA AS HOME ICE

Vancouver - The Vancouver Griffins Hockey Club announced today that they will play their home games this season in New Westminster's Queen's Park Arena. The team had previously stated that they would play this year at Burnaby's Canlan Ice Sports Centre, but began looking for a new venue when the NWHL Board of Governors ruled that the limited seating capacity at Canlan made it an inappropriate home for the league's newest franchise.

"This building has a history of being a home for entertaining hockey, and the Griffins are proud to be continuing that tradition," said General Manager Philip DeGrandpre about the new site. "We wanted a building that wasn't too small, but one that we could consistently fill. Queen's Park Arena is an excellent fit. The Griffins are ready to play exciting hockey and with strong fan support this year we anticipate having excellent atmosphere in the building," he continued.

The 3,500-seat arena was built in 1930 and is currently undergoing renovations. It is best known as the home of the New Westminster Bruins who won the Memorial Cup in 1977 and 1978, and were WHL champions from 1974-1978. The Griffins will play their first home game there on September 28th against the UBC Thunderbirds of the CIAU, and will host the NWHL Brampton Thunder October 14 and 15. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. The team is dividing its practices between the Centre Ice Complex in Abbotsford and Queen's Park Arena.

Established in January of this year, the Vancouver Griffins are the newest franchise in the 10-team NWHL, the world's premier women's hockey league. The team will play an exhibition schedule this season, and begin full interlocking play in the NWHL in 2001-2002. According to CHA statistics, participation in female hockey has grown by more than 400% in the last 10 years, making it among the fastest growing sports in the world.

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