Tourney an economic boom
Having three rinks within a stone’s throw of each other – the SOEC, Hockey Training Academy and Memorial Arena – makes Penticton a favourite city to host a tournament for teens in pursuit of pro hockey careers.
The Canadian Sport School Hockey League have drawn 96 academy teams to Penticton from four provinces and two U.S. states for the Western Championships. The tournament has been underway since early in the month, and now it’s time for the playoffs.
“Coming together with all these other teams, having three rinks right beside each other so everyone’s playing in the same spot – that’s the experience for the boys they won’t forget,” said Nick Szadkowski, assistant coach for the North Shore Warriors U15 team.
“This was our first year as a team so it’s more about the experience than how we finish right now.”
Warriors head coach
Brett
Hopwo has a special place in his heart for the Memorial Arena.
“The Memorial has a lot of history to it – great old barn, but tough to play in,” Hopwo said. “Going to be a shame when it gets torn down.”
But it’s not his play on.
“The atmosphere in the training centre is electric when you get 1,000 people in there.”
The 96-team tournament has drawn an estimated 5,000 visitors to Penticton. Anyone who’s driven near the SOEC over the first choice to past couple weeks may have noticed more teens out and about.
“From a competition perspective, this is what each of the athletes and coaches have been working towards all season; to lift the cup and bring home the championship banner,” said Kelsey Johnson, Penticton’s director of community services in an email.
Day passes cost $28.50 for adults and can be purchased through the calendar tab on SOEC.ca. Admission is free for anyone under 18.