Wickfest draws 1,500 young female hockey players to Calgary

More than 1,500 young women are in Calgary this weekend for a huge hockey tournament.

Wickfest is an annual hockey festival set up by Canadian hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser and draws teams from across North America for seminars, workshops and a friendly tournament. This year, it even drew a team from Mexico and no matter where they came from, the players were eager to soak up all experience and tips they could from skating professionals.

"It teaches you skills you wouldn't normally get, and they're professional," said Carina Thomas, one of the players at the festival. They just know what an athlete needs."

Olympic gold medallist David Pelletier was one of the pro-skaters giving out tips at the festivals' seminars and workshops.

Pelletier co-won the gold medal in 2002 with his pairs figure skating partner Jamie Salé and says there is no end to what the young players can learn from all of the professional skaters at Wickfest.

"Balance, blade awareness, how to position your upper body to be more efficient. It's kind of endless," he said. "I remember going to seminars for two or three days when I competed and if you took one thing home that you can practice and make everything better, then why not?"

While often considered a Canadian institution, hockey is a sport that is steadily gaining global recognition. 

Thomas said having events like Wickfest only helps bring more awareness of the game to women around the world.

"It's huge and growing," she said. "It just keeps expanding and these tournaments, it helps bring them together and promotes women's hockey."