Etihad Airways – the national airline of the United Arab Emirates – will celebrate the launch of its Abu Dhabi to Toronto route by hosting a special, international exhibition ice hockey match between the UAE national team and all-stars from the prestigious National Hockey League (NHL).
The NHL exhibition team will contain several professional and ex-professional players, and the match will provide a fantastic challenge for the UAE team as it prepares to qualify for the world ice hockey championship in Russia in 2007.
Etihad Airways will be carrying the UAE team – led by captain Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei – to the match which will be played at Toronto’s famous Brampton Centre on 12 November.
“Thanks to Etihad Airways, the UAE national ice hockey team is being given the opportunity to play against some of the best players in the world. We will be able to fly our flag – not only for UAE ice hockey – but all sports across the Emirates,” said Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, team captain UAE National Ice Hockey team.
Toronto, home to the Hockey Hall of Fame is widely considered to be the epicenter of sport, with several Stanley Cups – the top prize in North American hockey – having been awarded in the Canadian city.
“It is a great privilege for Etihad Airways to be hosting the UAE national ice hockey team for their first-ever match in Canada – the world’s home of ice hockey,” said Ian Ferguson-Brown, Head of Corporate Communications, Etihad Airways.
“This innovative exhibition match marks the start of a growing relationship between the people of Toronto and Abu Dhabi, not just in sport, but also business and tourism. Etihad is proud of its international reputation for excellence in hospitality, whether in Abu Dhabi or Toronto,” added Ferguson-Brown.
Beginning 31 October 2005, Etihad Airways will operate three direct flights a week from Abu Dhabi to the Brussels, which will connect quickly onward to Toronto.
The new route to Toronto via Brussels is expected to significantly enhance the link between the UAE, Europe, and Canada, providing even more opportunities for business and tourism.
