Caitlyn Cobean Memorial Silver Stick Hockey Tournament 2019 saw 38 teams of girl hockey players arrive in Saugeen Shores from February 1st to 3rd.
Each year, the tournment is held in memoriam of Caitlyn Cobean, a young hockey player who died of a brain tumour at the age of 13. This year, all divisions, from Novice to Midget, were full to capacity.
The teams came from as far away as Sarnia, Tillsonburg, North Middlesex, and closer to home from communities such as Collingwood, Tara-Chesley, Owen Sound, West Grey, Kincardine, and Lucknow-Wingham.
Tournament Convenor, Allison Charbonneau, said that each team has approximately 20 players along with coaches and families. “It brings a huge amount to our economy,” said Charbonneau. “All our motels and hotels are full and restaurants are feeling the economic impact. We look forward to the new hotels that are to be built so that we can accommodate even more teams in the future.”
Charbonneau added that sponsors play a key role in ensuring the tournaments success and, among the sponsors were: Bruce Power, Seaman and Sons Builders, Truly Nolen Pest Control, Walker Homes, K&K Lawn Care and Barry’s Construction.
From early morning to late at night, every rink in the area, including the Plex in Port Elgin, the Coliseum in Southampton and Tiverton Community Arena, were all filled as competitive games were played.
On Sunday, the finals were played with the last teams, Midget Girls of South Bruce and West Oxford playing off. South Bruce team, that plays out of Mildmay and Teeswater, defeated West Oxford for the championship win.