After a two-year absence due to COVID, the eighth annual Dan McKeown Memorial Atom/Novice Hockey Tournament returned to the Canada Summit Centre in March, hosted by the Knights of Columbus.
The tournament’s usual silent auction was not included in this year’s event due to uncertainty about COVID protocols at the time.
Dan McKeown was a member of the Knights of Columbus who died away a few years ago. He was always involved in youth and family events both for the parish and the community at large.
“Minor hockey, especially with the age group in Atom and Novice, is all about the kids and their families so it is fitting to have the tournament named in memory of Dan,” said Bill Weber, Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Huntsville.
Twenty-eight Novice (ages 8-9) and Atom (ages 10-11) participated in both House League and Rep team divisions. “We have done this since the beginning because the kids in House League then get the opportunity to travel like their friends playing Rep do,” noted Wright. “The feedback on the way the tournament was organized and run, the facilities at the Summit Centre, and the town of Huntsville and area was once again very positive.”
Some visiting families have indicated their intention to spend their summer vacation in this area.
Wright thanked the many businesses, the Town of Huntsville, and this year, for the first time, support from the Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax fund.
“We also wish to thank our members for their hard work in making this event possible. We would especially like to acknowledge all the players, coaches, and parents for their dedication to our national winter sport,” said Wright. “We look forward to next year with the hope of the auction making its return.”
Several local teams made it to the championship rounds.
The U11LL Invisible Fence placed second in the U11LL bronze championship. The U11LL Coldwell Banker placed second in the U11LL gold championship. The U11LL The Cooperators took first place in the U11LL gold championship. And the U11 Rep Armstrong Dodge earned first place in the U11 Rep gold championship.
“Congratulations to our teams who participated in the Knights of Columbus tournament… We had some great results!” said Alexandra Havlik, LL co-director U7-U11 for the Huntsville Minor Hockey Association. “Thanks to the organizers from the Knights of Columbus for hosting this event and giving our teams a chance to complete their season with some good competition.”
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