ItB次元官网网址檚 more than just a hockey tournament.
The Cowichan Valley Minor Hockey AssociationB次元官网网址檚 Memorial Under 18 C Tournament is back from a COVID hiatus, with games split between Fuller Lake Arena in Chemainus and the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan. It begins Friday, Feb. 17 and continues through Monday, Feb. 20.
The event not only features great action on the ice, but is dedicated to the memory of seven young people from the Cowichan Valley who lost their lives far too soon under tragic circumstances. ItB次元官网网址檚 proven to be a tremendous uplifting experience for the surviving family members.
There are 15 participating teams placed in three divisions of five for round robin play, including eight from the Lower Mainland, and a total of some 258 players.
The three Cowichan Valley Capitals host teams will be joined by two teams each from Cloverdale and Coquitlam, Burnaby, Semiahmoo, Port Coquitlam, Langley, Oceanside, Peninsula, Victoria and Juan de Fuca.
The tournament last took place in March of 2019 during spring break and, after three cancelled tournaments, itB次元官网网址檚 now found an appropriate new place on the Family Day weekend.
In many ways, itB次元官网网址檚 almost like starting over for the tournament committee.
B次元官网网址淚t is actually a very good weekend for us,B次元官网网址� said Kathy Irving, one of the eventB次元官网网址檚 founders and the Fuller Lake liaison along with Petra van Deventer.
Rounding out the committee are: Dale Irving (tournament chair), Kristen Arnold (Cowichan Community Centre liaison) and Kirstin Marshall (Spordle/HiSport administrator).
Teams are all at the peak of the season with playoffs in the next couple of weeks. B次元官网网址淭his has turned out to be a great time for us,B次元官网网址� added Kathy Irving.
The tournament actually originated as the Ryan Clark Memorial before being expanded to include the others.
The seven honourees are: Brayden Gale, Eric Kernachan, Caleb Kroffat, Christina McLeod, Zak Andrews, Paige Whitelaw and Ryan Clark. Hockey and sports, in general, provided the common bond among them.
B次元官网网址淲e have specialized awards that honour the memory of these hockey players that will be awarded over the weekend,B次元官网网址� reads a statement in the event program. B次元官网网址淥ur tournament is about playing the game of hockey that all of our players loved.B次元官网网址�
The special awards feature: the Paige Whitelaw most sportsmanlike player; the Brayden Gale Award for the player with the most heart; the Ryan Clark most outstanding goaltender; the Zak Andrews Mr. Personality Award; The Eric Kernachan Karny Award for fearless player; the Caleb Kroffat Award for the player with the most character; and the Christina McLeod Award for the player with the most passion.
B次元官网网址淚t brings their names back into the public eye,B次元官网网址� said Kathy Irving.
Sportsmanship is given the highest consideration and thereB次元官网网址檚 no tolerance for fighting.
B次元官网网址淭he tournament is run by volunteers and our remembered playersB次元官网网址� families and friends have also volunteered to help make the weekend a success,B次元官网网址� the statement continues. B次元官网网址淎ll profits from this tournament go toward players and families needing financial support.B次元官网网址�
The Cowichan Valley Capitals of the B.C. Hockey League have provided tickets to their weekend games for the players. Other major sponsors are: Tim Hortons, Ladysmith Eagles and the Rotary Club of Chemainus.
There will be 50/50 draws at Fuller Lake and the famous duck toss in Duncan.
B次元官网网址淥ur money we raise goes to help anyone in hockey,B次元官网网址� emphasized Kathy Irving.
A total of 66 commemorative towels will be given out to the most valuable players of each team in every game. All tournament participants also receive a special hoodie.
B次元官网网址淲e give back a lot for this tournament,B次元官网网址� noted Irving.
Players will be asked to wear their hoodies in tribute to those being remembered on the weekend.
ThereB次元官网网址檚 always room for more volunteers, even at the last minute.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not too late to even come out and watch a game and pick the MVPs,B次元官网网址� said Irving.
Efforts to organize the tournament actually go back to last August, with the hope that COVID wouldnB次元官网网址檛 result in another cancellation. Fortunately, thatB次元官网网址檚 not the case and itB次元官网网址檚 full steam ahead.
Some of the players will be in the final tournament of their minor hockey careers and the detail of the organizers is sure to make it a memorable one.
don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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