The Niagara-on-the-Lake Wolves had a triumphant weekend at the annual Harvest Classic hockey tournament, with two teams winning their division championships.
The NOTL Hockey Association, meanwhile, is satisfied after hosting another Harvest Classic that went off without a hitch.
Hosted at Meridian Credit Union Arena, the tournament saw the Wolves’ U15, U16 and U18 teams reach the championship finals. The U15 and U16 teams took home the titles.
The U15 team defeated the Norfolk Knights 6-0, while the U16 team beat Glancaster 3-1.
The U18 Wolves finished with a 1-2 loss to the Casselman-Embrun Icedogs.
NOTL’s U11 and U13 teams also reached the semifinals.
The action-packed weekend took months of planning before the first face-off Friday.
NOTL Minor Hockey president Pete Flynn said preparations for the tournament began in June.
“There are lots of volunteers and lots of workers helping us out,” he said.
NOTL youth, many of whom are former Wolves players, are paid to run the timebox and keep score, Flynn said. A large team of volunteers also helps with the annual barbecue.
“We get a lot of kids that are learning to come out, make some money, work and learn to be responsible.”
Credit: DAVE VAN DE LAAR
There’s high energy in the stands as NOTL Wolves fans cheer for the U16 team. They defeated Glancaster 3-1 to win the championship on Sunday afternoon.Tournament director James Cadeau said the event depends on the community’s efforts.
“It’s a lot of people putting in a lot of hours. Referees and parents,” he said. “Everybody puts in what they can, and we make it work,” he said.
Sam Skubel served as the tournament’s volunteer co-ordinator for the first time this year.
“Everyone does something different,” she said.
“We’re such a small-town community and it’s so nice to see the kids all cheer on their other teams.”
Flynn said all funds raised support the NOTL Hockey Foundation, which pays for ice time, equipment and referees.
The tournament also brings visitors to Niagara-on-the-Lake, with 32 teams travelling from different parts of Canada, including Casselman and Kemptville.
“We just like the fact that they all come and we’re able to help businesses and restaurants get business. We like people coming, supporting our restaurants and our hotels,” Flynn said.
Elaina Wilkinson helped run the barbecue outside the arena and praised the tournament’s organization.
Wilkinson said after seven years of helping run tournaments, the Harvest Classic stands out.
