All Star tourney hits the ice
Source: The Question
Some folks might call it “the little tournament that could,” but the Whistler All Star Hockey Tournament is anything but little. The 16th annual edition opened Saturday (June 19) at the Meadow Park Sports Centre arena showcasing a five-team Midget Boys division.
By the time the Zamboni makes its final rounds on July 12, the tournament will have covered 24 days with a total of 170 games and more than 1,100 skaters competing in eight separate divisions.
“This year we have 70 teams with about 16 players per team — plus coaches, moms, dads, siblings and friends,” tournament co-director Kevin Sopp said.
“Only a couple of those teams are local, so that’s 68 teams living in hotels, eating at restaurants and taking home souvenirs.”
Whistler Minor Hockey Association players Wyatt Fellows, Ryan Grills and Grant Iles will suit up for the Pacific Titans in a 10-team Minor Bantam division — for players born in 1996 — which opens play Friday (June 25) and continues through Sunday (June 27).
A seven-team Major Novice (2001) division is scheduled to play Monday (June 28) through Wednesday (June 30). The calibre of play in all divisions is generally rated at Double A to Triple A.
“There’s definitely a skill element involved and some teams definitely come to win,” Sopp said.
“But you will also see a few development teams that are here to learn and others teams that are just here for the fun and the experience of being at Whistler.”
The coaching staffs on several clubs boast some impressive credentials. Former NHL defenceman Dave Babych will join Rod Graham behind the bench for the B.C. Flyers in the 10-team Major Pee Wee (1997) division, which will close out the tournament July 10 to 12.
Colorado Avalanche superstar grad Joe Sakic returns for his second year alongside Tyson Davis and Jim Allen for two Colorado teams — a Minor Bantam (1996) team, which plays June 25 to 27 and a Minor Atom (2000) team on-ice from July 1 to 3.
“I think it says something about our program when someone like Joe Sakic brings his kids all the way from Denver for some fun. We must be doing something right,” Sopp said.
Whistler’s Bob Baker helped coach a combined Colorado and Whistler team in the Midget Boys (1993-’94) division. Joey Ewing, Jessie Clemiss and Garrett Milan mentor the Whistler Winterhawks in the Major Bantam (1995) division, which ends with playoffs today (Thursday, June 24). Greg Welsh will be in charge of a combined Whistler and Hollyburn C2 Sky Ice Dogs team in the Major Pee Wee (1997) division
