Remembering Bobby Joe

Northside Vikings host 20th annual Bobby Joe Ryan Memorial Hockey Tournament this weekend

The Northside and District Minor Hockey Association will host a special tournament this weekend in North Sydney.

The 20th annual Bobby Joe Ryan Memorial Hockey Tournament takes place at the Emera Centre Northside with six local peewee ‘AAA’ teams competing.

Joining the host Northside Vikings in the tournament are the Sydney Steelers, Cape Breton County Islanders, Glace Bay Miners, Cape Breton West Screaming Eagles and Strait Richmond Pirates.

The tournament, in memory of Bobby Joe Ryan, was established in December 1999, following the death of Ryan in January of that year.

Ryan was five years old when he was involved in a hockey accident

at the Sydney Mines rink. He died instantly after a hockey puck hit him in the chest.

The tournament, featuring players ages 11-12, will begin today with three games on the schedule. Sydney and Glace Bay will play at 4:45 p.m., followed by Strait Richmond and Cape Breton West at 6 p.m.

An opening ceremony will be

held at 7:15 p.m., followed by the host Northside playing Cape Breton County at 8 p.m.

Saturday’s action includes six games, beginning at 9:15 a.m. with Cape Breton County and Cape Breton West. Northside will play at 10:30 a.m. against Strait Richmond and 2:15 p.m. against Sydney.

The tournament semifinals are set for Sunday at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The championship game is slated for 3 p.m.

Over the past 20 years, the Bobby Joe Ryan Memorial Hockey Tournament has been well-supported by the community. The Northside and District Minor Hockey Association hopes the support will continue this weekend.

Note: Members of the novice hockey program on the Northside will be on hand collecting donations for the Northside food banks in North Sydney and Sydney Mines. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the games.