A Chatham couple is incorporating their love for OHL hockey into their wedding by exchanging vows at center ice during a Windsor Spitfires game. Sheldon Cadotte, 30, and Daylene Trudell, 27, have secured the WFCU Centre for their wedding ceremony on Jan. 8, coinciding with the Spitfires’ match against the Erie Otters.
Cadotte expressed that with the widespread affection for hockey worldwide, it was only a matter of time before someone took the step to have a wedding on ice. The wedding will take place during the second intermission of the game, officiated by Windsor’s own Joe McParland.
In addition to their friends and the approximately 6,000 Spitfires fans in attendance, the couple will have special witnesses in the form of the Windsor Spitfires mascots: Bomber, Ace, and Spike. Trudell mentioned that for her, a hockey arena is not an unusual choice for a wedding venue, as she grew up attending hockey games and introduced Cadotte to OHL hockey.
The idea of a hockey rink wedding has been in the works since Cadotte proposed to Trudell during a Spitfires game in April 2025. While there have been marriage proposals at previous Spitfires games, this event marks the first time the team will host an actual wedding on the ice.
Remo Agostino, the Spitfires’ brand manager, emphasized that the couple will not incur any costs for the ceremony as it is entirely sponsored by the Spitfires organization. The couple, who have been together for eight years, have recently become ardent supporters of the Windsor Spitfires after previously backing other teams.
The wedding date also coincides with Elvis Presley’s birthday, and the WFCU Centre plans to celebrate with Elvis-themed music during the game. Described as “a night of rock n’ roll and romance,” the event promises to be a unique and memorable experience for the couple and attendees.