CBU Unveils Home of Women’s Hockey Branding

As construction continues at the Canada Games Complex and in celebration of International Women’s Day, CBU proudly unveiled the official branding for Home of Women’s Hockey. The initiative introduces CBU as the first ‘Home of Women’s Hockey’ in Canada at the soon-to-be-opened, fully renovated Canada Games Complex. It is accompanied by powerful taglines: “It’s Our Turn” and “Barriers Are Made to Be Broken.” 

This announcement was made at the awards luncheon during the Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association Championships hosted by CBU Women’s CAPERS hockey team in Membertou. The launch of this new branding represents a significant step forward in promoting gender equity in hockey and underscores the University’s mission to provide opportunities for female athletes to thrive on and off the ice. 

In 2021, CBU partnered with the Cape Breton Blizzards Minor Hockey Association to address a growing concern of young girls and women having limited access to prime ice times within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. It was agreed that the Canada Games Complex, when reopened, would become the official home of the Blizzards, creating the first arena dedicated to women’s hockey in the country. Since then, this effort has gained national recognition through the Kraft Hockeyville competition and tremendous community support.  

“Today marks an exciting new chapter for women’s hockey at Cape Breton University,” says President David Dingwall with CBU. “With the launch of this branding, we are reinforcing our commitment to empowering female athletes, creating a program and a facility that fosters excellence, and breaking down the barriers that have historically limited opportunities in the sport, especially in our region.” 

“The Home of Women’s Hockey branding reflects CBU’s vision of creating equal opportunities for young girls in the community to grow and thrive in the sport. The wordmark depicts a silhouette of two female hockey players, one representing women’s hockey today and the second representing the youth of the sport and how they look to current players as role models,” says Sara Burke, Vice President of Development at CBU. “The taglines, It’s Our Turn and Barriers Are Made to Be Broken speak to the movement towards inclusion, equity, and advancement in women’s hockey. CBU aims to lead the charge in challenging outdated norms, championing female athletes, and shaping the future of the sport.”

“This initiative is about more than just hockey. It’s about opportunity, representation, and progress,” says Christina Lamey, President of the Cape Breton Blizzards Female Hockey Association “There is a lot of excitement among our players about getting into this new building and have an arena to call our own. I know all the players will wear this brand with pride, and we can’t wait to continue showing the country what we are doing in Cape Breton.” 

As CBU continues to develop its women’s hockey program, the University invites the community, alumni, and fans to join in supporting and celebrating this milestone. 

The arena is set to open later this spring and when construction is complete, the new Canada Games Complex will be a hub of health, recreation, sport and wellness for the CBU campus and the community. The facility will not only be the Home of Women’s Hockey, it will also be home to a new Nancy Dingwall Health and Counseling Centre, student and community fitness centre, walking track, and will also be fully accessible to allow for sledge hockey.