P.E.I. host communities ready to show thousands of athletes, spectators their Canada Games spirit

Cyriah Richard has a little note pinned to her wall. It's a promise made to herself many years ago.

She's had it since she could first fit into skates and it says "I hope I will be in the Canada Games."

Today, it's a dream come true.

Richard, from Tignish, will compete against the nation's top hockey talent next month when the Canada Winter Games begins on P.E.I. Better yet, she's playing on home ice.

"I always dreamed of playing in the Canada Games I cannot wait," Cyriah said. Her mom, Tina, added: "since she was about three she's said 'I'm going to play in the Canada Games.' It was her goal."

Cyriah said she found out she would be one of the team's two goalies last October. Since then, she's been training hard, and got to carry the torch during the final leg of the relay through Tignish.

After years of chasing that goal of one day making it to the Canada Games, finding out she will now play in her hometown makes that dream even more special. Hosting events in smaller Island communities means more people will have the opportunity to be part of the games who may not otherwise, she said.

"Everyone comes to support you. I know there were a lot of people walking behind me when I was carrying the torch that came to watch my hockey games, but I also didn't know some people … just did it because they love the sport." 

She said her hope is to inspire other young athletes from small towns to go after their goals. 

Cyriah's mom, Tina Richard, is also Tignish's recreation director. She said she remembers the excitement around the 1991 Canada Games — the last time the winter games were held on P.E.I. — and watching athletes from across the country come to compete. She said the opportunity to host an event in her hometown is an even bigger thrill. 

"It's exciting for everybody," Richard said. "We'll have people from two to 100 years old out here at this rink watching because people from Tignish love hockey. 

Tignish will be hosting one of the female hockey games, something Richard said is a perfect fit for the community. 

"We have a lot of girls playing hockey and it would be nice to see other girls competing at that level, and know they could do it in a few years time and maybe it would be their turn to make it on the big stage." 

Richard said hosting events will also be a boost for businesses within P.E.I.'s smaller communities during the off-season. She said accommodations in western P.E.I. have been booking up and restaurants are preparing for crowds.