Women across the country come together for 2026 Bell Hockey Classic

The women's division in the Bell Hockey Classic was made up of six teams including a Bell Media team with CTV employees.

It was a weekend of gliding skates, thwacks of hockey sticks and a whole lot of cheering each other on in an atmosphere filled with empowerment and camaraderie.

The Canlan Sports Arena in North York came alive with the sights and sounds of Canada’s national sport as Bell employees from across the country laced up their skates and hit the ice for the annual Bell Hockey Classic on the weekend.

The hockey tournament has been a tradition for Bell since 1903, when the company faced off against Northern Electric for the Telephone Trophy. Ever since, the sport has been a part of the company’s culture.

Fast forward 123 years later, this year marks the third year for the women’s division, which has grown to six teams, a surge from four last year.

One of those teams was comprised of players from the Bell Media division, including women from Montreal, Halifax, Toronto and Barrie along with CTV stations across the country.

The Bell Media team, named the ReBELLes, was hoping for a three-peat in taking home gold but secured a silver in the final game Saturday morning.

CTV National News Anchor Heather Butts was a brand-new addition to the team.

“It was fantastic. It was a great opportunity to join the team,” said Butts in a post-game discussion on CTV Toronto Saturday. “I’m really, really grateful to have been welcomed on as the rookie this year and what an incredible opportunity to play with a group of women who empowered each other all weekend. It was competitive, but a lot of fun.”

While the BMO team clinched the gold, it was an exciting and close championship game ending in a score of 4-3.

Not only was the tournament a win for all the women who participated but also for charities. Several charitable organizations benefited from the tournament this year including the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport, Girls Incorporated of York Region, Capital City Condors and Sun Youth.

CTV Toronto Videographer Natalie Johnson was a returning player and on the ReBELLes team.

“Very grateful for the opportunity to have a lot of fun playing with our colleagues and we got gold last year, but I hear mixed metals is where it’s at this year,” said Johnson while speaking at the anchor desk in an interview on CTV Toronto on Saturday.

The tournament was made up of players across all skill levels and ages, from those whose first-ever hockey game was at the tournament to well-seasoned players who have been playing the game all their lives and everywhere in between.

CTV’s Sarah Freemark, who also played on the ReBELLes team, reiterated the importance of the tournament.

“The tournament is so much more than hockey. It begins with a women’s leadership banquet where like-minded ladies reaffirm the benefits of sport and team building. The entire weekend is an uber positive experience and taking home a medal is simply an added bonus,” said Freemark. “I’ve spent 16 years collectively working for CTV stations across the province and every year I look forward to catching up with my former colleagues both on the ice and through great conversation.”

The Bell Hockey Classic continues to be an opportunity to unite and celebrate women in sport, and hopefully, for decades to come.