The Preston Meyer Memorial novice hockey tournament held in Estevan on the weekend gave a wealth of children an opportunity to have fun on the ice while also helping raise awareness and funds for an important cause.
Wes Hanson, co-organizer of this year’s tourney with Jen Lozinsky, said close to 300 kids on 24 teams from Saskatchewan and North Dakota stepped onto the Icon Centre, Civic Auditorium and Affinity Place ice for games stretched out over Dec. 4 to 6. He said from what he heard from these players as well as their parents and coaches is that everyone had a good time.
“Something new we did this year is the Preston Meyer Memorial Cup,” said Hanson, about the championship trophy that is named after an Estevan boy who succumbed to cancer in 2004. “We want to raise awareness because pretty well every family knows somebody that’s fighting cancer.”
The winners of the Preston Meyer Memorial Cup this year were the “Atlantic Division’s” Regina Sabres, “Central Division’s” Estevan Leafs and “Pacific Division’s” Estevan Stars. The Sabres beat the Regina Sharks in the championship game to win the Cup, while the Leafs defeated the Weyburn Kings.
The Estevan Stars needed a late third period goal from Carter Hirsch, his fifth of the game, to defeat the Estevan Flames 10-9 in the final. The Stars Hayden Lheritier earned the win between the pipes.
Hanson said a donation will be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation from the proceeds of Saturday’s Frisbee Toss event, as per a request from the Meyer family. He said this flows into their goal of not only having a great tournament for kids to play in, but also stage a major annual event that is focused on supporting a good cause.
“If we can start raising awareness and raising some money for people who are going through that, health-wise, that’s something that I don’t mind being a part of,” said Hanson, noting local businesses were a big part of helping make the tournament a success.
