Tabin bringing Walter Cup to Oakbank

Kati Tabin is set for a celebration.

The Montreal Victoire defender grew up playing hockey in Oakbank and is returning to her hometown a Professional Women’s Hockey League champion.

Tabin, alongside the Walter Cup and her Olympic silver medal, will be in Oakbank July 25 for an event, which will be hosted by radio host Ace Burpee, who is from Crook’s Creek.

The Victoire became the first Canadian team to hoist the Walter Cup, defeating Ste Anne’s Jocelyne Larocque and the Ottawa Charge in the PWHL final, winning the winner-takes-all game five 4-0.

Tabin was on the ice as the final horn sounded, calling it a ‘pinch-me’ moment in a Winnipeg Free Press interview. She had considered quitting hockey before the PWHL was founded in 2022.

“Going into that game, I had no doubt in my mind that we were going to win. As the goals kept coming, we were getting more and more excited,” Tabin said.

“Trying to hold our composure on the bench was pretty tough, but it was so cool to be out on the ice and to be on the ice and being able to celebrate right away.”

Following the presentation at 10 a.m., Tabin will be signing autographs for fans. The event will be at the Oakbank One Insurance Arena.