With only a week-and-a-half left until the tournament starts, organizers of the B.C. Bantam Tier 3 Hockey Championships say they are in good shape, with many volunteer roles filled, and everything falling into place for the five day hockey marathon.
The big start to the week will be the opening ceremonies, set to hit the ice at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 20 at the Smithers Civic Centre Arena, where all the games will be taking place. Immediately following the half hour affair, the Smithers Storm will be playing their home opener.
Games are free to watch for the duration of the tournament, although organizers will be raising money to cover the costs of the tournament by selling souvenirs, 50/50 tickets and raffle tickets for a number of prizes. Two of the hottest draw tickets will be for a Sidney Crosby hockey jersey, as well as a signed Dan Hamhuis jersey. Only 500 tickets will be sold for each jersey at $5 each, so anyone feeling lucky should make their way to see John Wreggitt at OK Tire, Oscar’s Source For Sports, or any player on the Bantam Storm team.
So far, Whitehorse, Dawson Creek, Quesnel, Nelson, Terrace and Smithers are the teams that are known to be travelling here for the tournament; the remaining towns will be known once all the zone playoffs have been completed.