Caitlyn Cobean Memorial Silver Stick tournament fills local arenas

Caitlyn Cobean Memorial Silver Stick Hockey Tournament 2020 saw 28 teams with 450 girl hockey players arrive in Saugeen Shores from January 31st to February 2nd.

Each year, the tournament is held in memoriam of Caitlyn Cobean, a young Port Elgin hockey player who died of a brain tumour at the age of 13. Caitlyn Cobean Community Crusaders was founded by family and friends and now works in affiliation with Tara “Boom” Houston Children’s Foundation (Taraboom for short).  All proceeds raised go to help improve the lives of families whose children have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses

This year at the tournament, all divisions, from Novice to Midget, were almost full to capacity.

The teams came from as far away as Sarnia, Tillsonburg, Lambton and Lucan with a team that traveled from Michigan.  Closer to home, players came from Collingwood, Tara-Chesley, Owen Sound, West Grey, Kincardine, and Lucknow-Wingham.

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.

Tournament Convenor, Allison Charbonneau, pointed out 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.”