By Sam Laskaris /
Tournament chairperson Al Kennedy believes there’s a rather good reason why squads enjoy entering the North York Knights Challenge.
The 14th annual event began this weekend (Jan. 29) and continues until Sunday (Jan. 31).
“They like to get a tournament in before their (league) playoffs,” Kennedy said of the majority of the entrants, who begin their post-season schedules about two weeks after the conclusion of the North York Knights Challenge.
This year’s event will feature 61 A squads competing in eight divisions, ranging from Minor Atom through Major Midget.
Kennedy said organizers purposely try to cap the number of teams in each division at eight.
“It’s easier for scheduling,” he said. “And then half the teams advance to their semi-finals.”
Only the Minor Atom, Major Atom and Minor Peewee divisions will have seven clubs instead of eight this year.
Among the tournament participants will be two clubs from the United States. The Rochester-based Perinton Blades will compete in the minor bantam division. And the major bantam category will include the Waltham Hawks from Massachusetts.
Besides the fact many teams utilize this event as a tuneup for the playoffs, Kennedy said there’s another reason why the event is popular.
“The advantage of this tournament is that all games are at one arena,” he said.
All matches will be staged at the Canlan Ice Sports facility at York University, which has six ice pads.
“It’s a good facility,” Kennedy added.
The host Knights will enter nine of their teams in the tournament, including both their junior and senior clubs in the major midget category. |