A Chatham couple is adding a unique twist to their love story by getting married at center ice during an OHL hockey game. Sheldon Cadotte, 30, and Daylene Trudell, 27, have secured a special arrangement with the Windsor Spitfires to host their wedding ceremony at the WFCU Centre on January 8, coinciding with the Spitfires’ game against the Erie Otters.
Cadotte expressed excitement about blending hockey and romance, stating that with the widespread love for hockey worldwide, it was only a matter of time before someone incorporated a wedding on ice. The ceremony, scheduled for the game’s second intermission, will be officiated by Windsor wedding officiant Joe McParland.
Joining the couple and approximately 6,000 Spitfires fans will be the team’s mascots – Bomber, Ace, and Spike – as witnesses to the marriage. Trudell shared that for her, a hockey arena is a familiar and fitting venue for a wedding, having grown up attending hockey games and even introducing Cadotte to OHL hockey.
The idea of marrying on ice stemmed from Cadotte proposing to Trudell during a Spitfires game in April 2025. While there have been previous marriage proposals at Spitfires games, this upcoming wedding marks the first time the team will host an actual wedding on the ice.
Remo Agostino, the Spitfires’ brand manager, mentioned that the entire ceremony is a gift from the Spitfires organization, ensuring the couple receives the full support and celebration from the team. Cadotte and Trudell, who have been together for eight years, have embraced the Windsor Spitfires as their home team, appreciating the players’ dedication and performance on the ice.
Coincidentally, the wedding day falls on Elvis Presley’s birthday, which the WFCU Centre will commemorate during the game with Elvis-themed music and festivities. Describing the event as “a night of rock n’ roll and romance,” the couple is looking forward to this unique and memorable experience.