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Cowichan Valley memorial hockey tournament cancelled again

Uncertainty of COVID restrictions cut it too close for Midget event to proceed
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Kristen Arnold with Cowichan Valley Memorial Midget C Hockey Tournament memorabilia. (File photo by Don Bodger)

The Cowichan Valley Memorial Midget C Hockey Tournament has been cancelled again this year, Cowichan Valley Minor Hockey Association executive administrator Kathy Irving of Chemainus announced Friday.

The tournament, honouring local families impacted by the death of young family members over the years, was on the verge of celebrating its 10th anniversary when the onset of COVID forced its cancellation in March of 2020. It was also unable to go ahead in 2021.

Related story: Cowichan Valley hockey tournament unites families affected by tragedy

Fuller Lake Arena has been the main venue for games, with some also played at the Cowichan Community Centre. Organizers were hopeful this year’s event could be held and had done considerable advance planning, but the uncertainty of lingering Provincial Health Officer orders left them no choice but to cancel for the third straight year.

“We had 15 eager teams ready, willing and able to play but with the latest PHO extended to Feb. 15, we could not take a chance on the tournament permits being extended, too much ice, referees and hotel rooms to cancel,” noted Irving. “Nine of our teams ordered hoodies so I am working on getting those to them and full refunds for the other six. I really thanked those teams that opted to buy our hoodies and get our logos out in their communities. Two are going on the mainland.”

While the action on the ice was halted, funds generated from the tournament have continued to be distributed in support of many individuals and causes.

The committee is always anxious to hear from people who might know someone in need from the hockey community and willing to offer whatever support it can.

Related story: Cowichan Valley memorial hockey worth celebrating

Everyone is hopeful the 10th anniversary of the tournament will finally happen on the Family Day weekend in 2023.

“This was a real roller coaster this year,” Irving indicated. “We were in, we were out, so the final decision did not come easy.”

Tributes to sons and daughters through their trophies remain in the trophy cases on display in both arenas.

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Kathy Irving with Cowichan Valley Memorial Midget C Hockey Tournament memorabilia. (File photo by Don Bodger)
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Kathy Irving, Petra van Deventer and Kristen Arnold during the second year of the Cowichan Valley Memorial Midget C Tournament. They’ve all worked tirelessly behind the scenes since the tournament’s inception. (File photo)
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Rob Kernachan’s depiction of the Cowichan Valley Memorial Midget Hockey Tournament. The tournament was last held in 2019 and cancelled each year since due to COVID.


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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