Hockey Day in Canada at Laval Liberty High School

There is an extensive program of activities to go along with the CBC event. Thursday, February 19 & Friday, February 20, there will be a Young Timers Elementary School Ball Hockey Tournament for Laval. Both schools' gyms (Laval Liberty and Laval Junior) will host this tournament for local elementary schools on both days. Laval Liberty students and staff will support and host the teams in coordination with junior students.

Saturday, February 21, 2009 promises to be a huge day not only in school sports but also in the history of English education in Laval, as the CBC comes to Laval Liberty and Laval Junior high schools to capture precious moments in the life and times of these two school communities whose sports concentration programs have greatly improved the academic performance of not only participating student-athletes but the general student population as well.

Comprehensive studies on the impact of sports on academic performance conducted at the two schools have convinced teachers, administrators, parents, students, and Laurier School Board officials that the impact is significant, judging by the improvement in graduation rates at the senior level since the programs were introduced. The Fraser Institute recognized Laval Liberty High School as one of Quebec's top two public schools in academic improvement over the past six years. The school ranked second to another Anglophone Laval institution, Phoenix Alternative High School for the same period.

Here is the agenda for the big historic day (February 21, 2009) at Laval Liberty High School. Indoors: 11:00 am – Finals of the Young Timers Hockey Tournament; also at 11:00 am - Start of the round robin play for the Under 18 Ball Hockey Tournament; 11:00 am – 7:00 pm – Hockey (Day) Night in Canada coverage in the auditorium; 12:00 noon – Dagwood's Lunch; 6:00 pm - Supper available (pizza). Outdoors: 12:00 noon - Bombardiers Novice hockey game; 1:15 pm - Sledge hockey showcase (Paralympic sport); 2:30 pm - Panthers All-Stars vs Police & Fire Fighters; 3:30 pm - Performance by a Special Olympic Gold Medal Champion & figure skating showcase; 4:00 pm - Ceremonial Face-off and official inauguration; 4:15 pm - Vipers (Laval Junior) hockey game; 5:25 pm – Panthers (Laval Liberty) hockey game.