THE SECOND annual Cliff Sharples memorial tournament, in honour of a man known in Terrace for his strong commitment to hockey and the community, will be held this weekend here in Terrace.
It’s the largest peewee rep tournament that Terrace has hosted.
Seven teams are coming from out of town – Kitimat, Rupert, Smithers, Vanderhoof, Prince George, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John – and with the high amount of workers in town staying in hotels, some teams almost didn’t have a place to stay, said Kasey Lewis, tournament organizer.
Luckily, she gave the visiting teams plenty of notice so they were able to squeeze into rooms.
“I knew the hotel situation was going to be scarce,” she said. And with at least 20 people per team, group meals will also be an issue as restaurants are packed.
But at least they’ll be fed on Friday during the group banquet dinner that kicks off the tournament. Games are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Sharples’ family will be giving a ceremonial puck drop.
Terrace’s peewees are a fresh crop this year with only a handful of returning players on the team – but that doesn’t mean they won’t put up a tough fight.