Three days of hockey action is coming to 100 Mile House this weekend as part of the 100 Mile Adult Hockey Tournament.
Formerly known as the 100 Mile Oldstars Hockey Tournament, lead-organizer Greg Aiken said he renamed the tournament this year as the team of the same name, the Oldstars, will not be competing this year. Despite their absence, Aiken said he still has a lineup of five men's teams in the recreation division for 19 and up, four in the men's old-timer division for 35 and up and a five-team strong ladies division. The men will play from Jan. 17 to Jan. 19 while the ladies will play from Jan. 17 to 18.
"We start Friday night and go until Sunday afternoon at the South Cariboo Rec Centre in 100 Mile House and the Rolf Zeis Memorial Arena in Lac La Hache," Aiken said. "We have our refreshment garden all weekend at the South Cariboo Rec Centre and we have a dinner dance that is open to the public if they want to buy tickets Saturday night. We're just looking for a fun weekend."
Aiken said a few teams were unable to attend this year at short notice and he is already looking at ways to expand the tournament next year. He noted there has been some talk of forming a 65-plus division which he remarked is an interesting idea.
As in previous years, Aiken said the men's leagues will play at the rec centre while the women's league will play in Lac La Hache. Admission to the tournament is free for the public and the games themselves are designed to be competitive but fun. He noted the tournament has been happening in some form or another for 34 years now and is a tradition for the community.
"I look forward to literally running into guys we've played against before, meeting some new guys and having some refreshments with everybody and generally having a good time and getting some exercise," Aiken remarked. "It's going to be some good hockey. The rec division is really good hockey, it is comparable to low-level Senior A Hockey and there are still some good players in the 35 plus as well."
Aiken said doors to the dinner dance open at 5:30 p.m. at the 100 Mile House Community Hall on Saturday, Jan. 18. Anyone with questions about the tournament or who would like to secure the tickets for the dinner/dance is invited to contact him at 250-948-1319.
