With 12 teams, the second annual Ontario Municipal Hockey Tournament kept the trophy title local this year.
The idea fir the event came from an exhibition game about three years ago with Wellington County said tournament co-chairman Barry Trood. “I happened to be in a municipal tournament about 25 years back when I worked for the Region of Peel.”
While that tournament died years ago, Trood decided to get one started in Wellington North. He hoped the it would turn into a catch-all for municipal hockey tournaments in Ontario.
“Last year we had nine teams, this year we had 12 – and a waiting list.”
That happened because there was only a limited amount ice time on March 30 and 31.
“Next year, we’ll be booking the arena for Friday, Saturday and Sunday so we can take more teams in. It’s really starting to take off.”
One needed only to look at the schedule to see the event is not just attracting local teams.
There were teams from Shelburne, Wilmot, Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Ingersoll, Blue Mountains and Norfolk County – in addition to local teams.
Trood said last year, “all the teams really enjoyed it, and that’s a big part. It was a lot of fun and everyone had a chance to meet, be friends, play some hockey, and meet folks from other municipalities.”
He said “The other key component is that we really wanted to do something for the municipality – increasing the ice times.”
This year, the local Royal Canadian Legion also helped by operating a beer garden.
He anticipates the event will also created a bit of business for the community with visitors eating and shopping over the course of the tournament.
And this year’s champion came from Centre Wellington as team members defeated last year’s champions from Ingersoll 6-3 in the final.
The consolation final was won by Wasaga Beach as it defeated the Wellington County team 4-1.
