Recap of the 3rd Annual Brad Pearsall Tyke Select Portion of the Tournament & Thank you to our Sponsors
Our 3rd Annual Brad Pearsall Tyke Select hockey tournament was held (in conjunction with the Novice Rep team) from March 17th – 19th, 2017. In the Tyke Select division, 9 teams in total travelled to Muskoka from other parts of Southern Ontario to compete in the Tyke component of this three day tournament.
While our Tyke Select Team, Terry's Independent Grocer's did not, unfortunately, advance to the semi-finals after playing the three game round robin; other teams certainly grabbed that opportunity. On Sunday, the top two teams in each division played each other in the semi-final round. Lorne Park Clarkson played the Ennismore Eagles (the team who only won against us in the first game by only 1 goal!) And then, the Hespeler Shamrocks played the Innisfil Winterhawks. Those games were exciting to watch and it was nice to see our Bears players, both from the Tyke Select teams and others, came to the Bracebridge arena early on a Sunday morning to watch the semi-finals. Ultimately, Lorne Park Clarkson and the Innisfil Winterhawks were victorious in the semi-finals, so they played each other in the final championship game at 1:00 p.m. And it was quite the showdown. Ultimately, Lorne Park Clarkson were victorious, winning the championship game with a score of 6 – 1 to take the Championship title for 2016 – 2017, with the Innisfil Winterhawks placing second overall.
In addition to the hockey games themselves, the tournament had a lot of great amenities from the silent auction table, to the bake sale and the lunch time BBQ. If I daresay so myself, the team put on quite the spread and thanks to all our volunteers/parents/grandparents who stepped in to help out.
Moreover, at this juncture, our team owes a big shout out and thank you to all of the companies who sponsored our tournament, namely:
Fitzmaurice Brothers (Jamie and Erin Doran); Muskoka Timber Mills Ltd, Royal LePage Realty, Lakes of Muskoka (Fred Aitken), Muskoka Chrysler (Chris Hogue) and Fixtures in Port Carling (Ashley Orchard). And, not to forget Foodland in Mactier (David and Michelle Gemmell) who sponsored the BBQ items. And, a big shout out to Terry`s Independent Grocer`s, who is the sponsor of our Tyke Select Team.
Moreover, thanks so much to all of our silent auction sponsors; Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment for donated that amazing hockey stick signed by all the Maple Leaf Players, as well as Club Link/Rocky Crest/The Lake Joseph Club and the Mark O`Meara Golf Course; SWS Water Park; Mark`s Work Wearhouse, Shine, Lilibird, Nissan, Rich Hill Candles, Wabora, Pita Pit, Momma’s Bears, South Muskoka Golf Course, Ford, Chancery Lane, Muskoka Barn Creations and NHLPA.
Without the generosity of these companies and the sponsorship of the tournament and their contributions to the silent auction, this tournament would not have come to fruition. It is only through these generous companies that our players (and the visiting teams) got to experience this tournament and have as much fun as they did, as well as grow and learn, both from a skating and skill perspective, to having an appreciation of such life skills as teamwork. This was an amazing experience. From all of us on the Tyke Select Team, to all of our sponsors and silent auction donators, we say a huge thank you and want you to know how much we all appreciate your contribution to this tournament and these awesome kids!
In addition, thanks to Naomi Atkinson, our tournament director, as well as to Jerri Knight, our Novice Rep Manager who co-ordinated the tournament from her end, to all the people behind the scenes such as our scheduler, Kevin Babcock, and all our many volunteers and parents. Thanks again.