Grab your twig, strap your boots on and leave those skates at home - the next edition of a Flin Flon holiday hockey tradition takes place this weekend.
The Shayne Pearson Memorial Bunk Hockey Tournament is back Dec. 21, taking place at the Creekside bunk. The tournament, open to all skill levels, takes place each holiday season to provide old buddies a chance to catch up, to pay tribute to a fallen friend and to raise money for hockey in the north.
“Everything this year is the same as in recent years. We are hoping to finally get some above average weather this year though and the forecast looks promising,” said tournament organizer Brad Hancock.
It’s the 15th year for the tournament, named in honour of Pearson, a highly-touted goalie and Flin Flon native who died in a car accident in 2005. Pearson was only 16.
“Shayne was the type of guy that would go out of his way to make sure everyone felt welcome. He loved hockey and was a great goaltender and an even better friend. He always stole the show and managed to bring smiles and laughter to any situation with his amazing sense of humour. This tournament is just one way we can remember him,” Hancock said.
Following his death, a group of Pearson’s friends came together to play a game of bunk hockey as a tribute. Since then, the tribute has grown to a tournament including a fundraiser in Pearson’s name.
In the past, Pearson’s family and friends operated a bursary for graduating high school students - while the bursary stopped two years ago, funds raised through the event will be distributed to hockey-related causes. Players can hit the ice after making a $10 donation to the fund in Pearson’s name.
“We are looking at a few different options for allocating any donations this year but hope to focus on other young goalies just like Shayne was,” Hancock said.
Numbers for teams and players have seen a small drop in recent years, but the number of teams for this year’s tournaments is still in the double digits. Teams made of younger players, including those who never had the chance to meet or know Pearson, have taken part in larger numbers each year.
Some businesses have stepped up to help the organizers, providing a warming tent next to the bunk, food and propane heaters.
Temperatures at the tournament often dive into the minus-30 degree Celsius range, but the forecast for Dec. 21 appears much warmer - according to Environment Canada, the forecast for Dec. 16 calls for a high of minus-13 degrees Celsius.
Hancock is pleased to see Pearson’s memory live on through the tournament and the funds it raises.
“We are most happy to see Shayne’s name live on through this tourney. It’s nice that after 15 years, there are still so many people willing and excited to help make it a continued success. From the donations we receive to the countless volunteers who set up and run the tent, serve food and hot chocolate, the players who help with timekeeping and refereeing - there’s a lot that goes into it,” he said.
“After all these years, Shayne still manages to bring everyone together and every year we see new people coming out who may not have known Shayne but still pay their respects.”
The tournament begins at 9 a.m. Dec. 21. Teams and players can register at the 15th Annual Shayne Pearson Memorial Bunk Hockey Tournament Facebook page. A full schedule will be posted and sent to the teams prior to puck drop.
