Greig excited to bring Walter Cup home

Southern Alberta Newspapers Photo by Justin Seward. CELEBRATION: Dara Greig, left, takes pictures with young fans during the Walter Cup celebration at VisitLethbridge.com Arena on on Sept. 23.

By Justin Seward
Southern Alberta Newspapers

A long line up of fans, young and old, saw local Professional Women’s Hockey League player Dara Greig with the Walter Cup on Sept. 23 outside the VisitLethbridge.com Arena.

Fans had the opportunity take photos with Greig and the Walter Cup, which was won by her Montreal Victoire last spring.

“I’m just so excited to get the chance to bring it back here to Lethbridge where I grew up playing minor hockey, and to see a lot of young girls and just grow women’s hockey,” said Greig to local media.

Greig described it as “an amazing feeling” when she reflected on winning the championship with the Victoire.

“Getting to win that with Montreal and hoist that trophy at the end was something I’ll never forget,” said Greig.

Greig had always been inspired by Marie-Philip Poulin.

“When I was drafted to Montreal I was so excited and felt so lucky that I got the chance to play on the same team as her and now getting to win a championship with her, it’s so special,” said Greig.  

“I just look up to her in every way and got to learn a lot from her over the last two years.”

Greig had a message for the young female hockey players in attendance.

“Just dream big,” said Greig.

“If you see it, you can be it and they can dream towards playing in the league one day.”

Greig signed with the Ottawa Charge in the offseason and will be in the  same city as brother Ridly who plays for the Ottawa Senators.

“We’re pretty excited to be in the same city here this next season and I don’t know about rivalry, but we’re definitely each other’s number one fans and excited to get to do that together,” said Greig.

It was an exciting moment for Atley Forsyth to meet Greig.

“Really exciting,” said Forsyth.

Forsyth thought after seeing Greig win the Walter Cup, it’s something she could do down the road.

“Yeah, totally,” said Forsyth.

Keith Hitchcock, Lethbridge Minor Hockey Association’s general manager, says the victory is big for female hockey in the local area.

“This is exactly what we need,” said Hitchcock.

“It builds us. It shows that there is a pathway.”

LMHA held a jersey naming contest when they changed uniforms and the Victoire logo was the winner because of Greig being on the team.