Over the past 17 years, it’s become a minor hockey institution in Flin Flon.
This year’s Mel Pearson Memorial Novice Tournament will be played this weekend. Fifteen teams from across northern and central Manitoba will take part in the tournament, which starts Friday at the Whitney Forum and Creighton Sportex.
“The kids are very excited,” said Corey Thompson, chairperson and coordinator with Flin Flon Minor Hockey, and a novice coach. “It’s their first tournament of the year, so the kids are excited to play. For the most part, they’ve only been doing half-ice games. This will be their first time playing full-ice games.”
Four teams from Flin Flon and four teams from Thompson will take part in the tournament, joining squads from Swan River, The Pas, Norway House, Gillam and OCN. Swan River and The Pas will both ice two teams.
“It should be a fun-filled weekend for both the kids and parents coming in,” said Thompson. “We’re looking forward to having both the Whitney Forum and the Sportex full of our future hockey stars.”
Several traditions from previous years will continue for this year’s tournament, including the pizza shootout after Friday night games. Manitoba novice rules will apply to the tournament, meaning some restrictions for players and coaches.
All players will receive equal ice time and a mercy rule will be used, meaning goals will not be counted after a team achieves a seven-goal lead.
Tournaments like the Mel Pearson require careful planning and many volunteers to run as planned, but Thompson said a number of parents have filled all necessary jobs.
“They’ve all been filled within the novice organization, parents of the kids in novice have filled those spots,” Thompson said, adding, “that definitely takes the burden off having the volunteers work the tournament.”
The tournament officially starts with The Pas Huskies Red team playing the Flin Flon Oldtime Bombers at the Whitney Forum. Puck drop is scheduled for noon Friday.
