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 hold their wedding ceremony at the WFCU Centre on January 8, coinciding with the Spitfires’ game against the Erie Otters.
The wedding festivities are scheduled to take place during the second intermission of the game, with Windsor wedding officiant Joe McParland officiating the ceremony. The couple’s friends and approximately 6,000 Spitfires fans will witness the marriage, along with the presence of the Windsor Spitfires mascots: Bomber, Ace, and Spike.
Trudell shared that having a wedding at a hockey arena doesn’t feel out of place for her, as she grew up attending hockey games and introduced Cadotte to OHL hockey. The idea for the unique wedding ceremony stemmed from Cadotte’s on-ice proposal to Trudell during a Spitfires game in April 2025.
While there have been previous marriage proposals at Spitfires games, this event marks the first time the team is hosting an actual wedding on the ice. The Spitfires organization is generously covering all costs for the couple, providing them with a suite for the ceremony and ensuring their special day is memorable.
Despite their previous allegiances to other teams, Cadotte and Trudell now consider the Windsor Spitfires their home team, appreciating the players’ dedication and efforts on the ice. The January 8 game coincides with Elvis Presley’s birthday, which the WFCU Centre will celebrate with Elvis-themed music and festivities, making it a unique and memorable experience for the couple.
Cadotte and Trudell expressed their excitement for the unconventional wedding venue, emphasizing the significance of sharing their special day with fellow hockey fans in a setting they both cherish.