The annual Oak Bay Xmas Cup hockey tournament returns to its roots this Boxing Day.

Last year, in the tournament that raised more than $12,000 for support and awareness of Muscular Dystrophy.

B次元官网网址淓ach year we have rotated the cause to support someone or cause that has affected participants, family or friends of the tournament.

This year, nothing really came up, which is a good thing,B次元官网网址� says organizer Sean Tackaberry. B次元官网网址淲e decided to circle back to a cause we supported in 2012. This yearB次元官网网址檚 fundraising will be donated towards the ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Health Foundation of Vancouver Island.B次元官网网址�

The ninth annual Oak Bay Xmas Cup Hockey Tournament hits the ice at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre on Boxing Day.

The event features 64 players of mixed skill levels divided into four teams vying for the chance to hoist the Xmas Cup. The mini tournament features four one-hour games and two round-robin games, followed by a third place game and a final championship game for the Xmas Cup.

The format remains unchanged after nearly a decade. There are always 64 players, though the roster changes as they draw on the pool of about 120. The crowd however, grows each year.

B次元官网网址滿ost of the participants have been having children over the last five years, so it has become more and more of a family event,B次元官网网址� Tackaberry says. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been holding a family skate in between the first two games, and last two games.B次元官网网址�

ThatB次元官网网址檚 grown from about 12 players and kids on the ice two years ago, to about 40 players and kids last year.

B次元官网网址淚t sounds like this year, people are looking as forward to the family skate as they are the tournament,B次元官网网址� Tackaberry says. B次元官网网址淭he Oak Bay Xmas Cup has become an event that everyone in our growing group looks forward to year after year. Giving back to the community is by far the best part, but it sure is a fun way to make it happen.

The tournament and our donation have grown for 8 straight years, and we are hoping the 9th Annual OBXC will continue the streak.

While itB次元官网网址檚 always a toss up on who will take the cup, Tackaberry admits, B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 looking like Festivus or Feliz Navidad might have the strongest rosters this year.B次元官网网址�

editor@oakbaynews.com