In a heartwarming and unforgettable moment, a Chatham couple made local history by exchanging vows at centre ice, becoming the first pair ever married during a Windsor Spitfires hockey game. The ceremony, held during the second intermission of Thursday's match against the Erie Otters, was witnessed by a crowd of 6,208 enthusiastic fans at the WFCU Centre.
A Proposal on Ice Leads to a Wedding
The unique journey to the altar for Sheldon Cadotte and Daylene Trudell began last April. After winning tickets from Chatham radio station CKSY to a playoff game, Cadotte hatched a plan. He contacted the Spitfires organization to ask if he could propose to Trudell during an intermission. The team agreed, setting up a memorable moment that included a game of human bowling before Cadotte took the microphone to pop the question.
"They threw us out for an intermission, we did human bowling, and then they let me have the microphone to do my proposal," Cadotte recounted. Trudell said yes, but the story didn't end there. The very next day, the Spitfires reached out with an even bigger idea: an on-ice wedding ceremony.
Elvis Night Adds to the Festivities
The timing was serendipitous, as the game on Thursday, January 8, 2026, was also billed as Elvis Night, celebrating the late singer's birthday. While an Elvis impersonator did not officiate, two impersonators joined the wedding party on the ice, adding a touch of Las Vegas flair to the Windsor event.
The couple, both 27 and lifelong hockey fans, had originally planned a summer wedding at Cadotte's parents' home. They quickly agreed to the Spitfires' offer, deciding to hold the official ceremony at the game and plan a vow renewal and party with family later. "It's not just your basic, simple wedding that everyone does," Trudell said. "So, it'll definitely be something to remember."
A Shared History and a New Team
Cadotte and Trudell met over eight years ago in high school but drifted apart when they pursued post-secondary education. After reconnecting, their relationship was solidified in a most public way. The Spitfires hosted their families in a 16-person suite for the game, with many more friends in the stands.
Despite the thousands of strangers in attendance, Trudell wasn't nervous, citing their prior experience with the proposal. The couple, now officially the Cadottes, plan a honeymoon this summer and have cemented their loyalty to their new hometown team. "Since we came here, we've been enjoying doing it," Cadotte said. "So now, Windsor is our new team... and (with the wedding) we get to go down in history."
