This past weekend the City of Morden welcomed the top six "AAA" Female Midget hockey teams to the city for the 2017 Esso Cup.

"All of the teams arrived," said Director of Community Services, Clare Agnew. "They all came and had their individual team photos done. Then we shared some Morden hospitality. We had a welcome night that included dinner and live entertainment and we finished it off with some great fireworks."

This was a chance for the City of Morden and the entire Pembina Valley to welcome the teams to the area for the week of high paced hockey.

Agnew felt the teams all felt welcome and really enjoyed the evening after what could be a long day for some of them, having to travel to Morden. She went on to say the on-ice portion of the tournament is where Hockey Canada takes the reigns, but having a fun and enjoyable time off the ice is what the host committee really is striving to do this week with the teams and other people who have made the trip to the City.

The Pacific Region representative is the St. Albert Slash, representing the west is the Prince Albert Bears, the team from the Atlantic is the Mid Isle Wildcats, Ontario representatives are the Durham West Lightning, the Harfangs Du Triolet are the Quebec representatives and the Pembina Valley Hawks are the host team.

"I'm looking forward to people coming out and cheering on the hockey," said Agnew. "Just wanting to welcome the players and parents who travelled all this way to Morden. I am just looking forward to getting the event underway and seeing some hockey."

The event, in fact, did get underway Sunday, with the Pembina Valley Hawks skating to a 2-1 win over the Prince Albert Bears.