The 53rd annual Wayne Gretzky International Hockey Tournament brought excitement and competition to Brantford from December 27 to 30. Featuring 176 games and 74 teams, the event attracted over 5,000 visitors, providing a significant boost to local businesses and restaurants.
Kevin Murray, general manager of the Brantford Minor Hockey Association (BMHA), emphasized the tournament’s importance as a fundraiser for the organization.
“We’ve had it for over 50 tournaments, and it’s big to us. It’s our main goal to raise funds for our budgets through tournaments,” said Murray in an interview with BrantBlog.ca during the event.
The tournament hosted teams ranging from U8 to U18 divisions, competing at Double B, A, and Double A levels. Murray highlighted the importance of sportsmanship and learning experiences for young athletes.
“The sportsmanship is the big thing. Kids need to learn that there are going to be winners and losers and take it both ways. That’s probably the most important thing to come out of this.”
Murray noted the strong presence of international teams, including Finland’s Tappara, which presented tough competition.
“Facing international teams is always big. This year, Finland is a very strong team, so other teams had to work extremely hard to keep up with them,” he said.
Brantford Minor Hockey Association’s under-15 AA 99ers advanced to the finals but were defeated 5-1 by Tappara Finland. The under-13 A 99ers narrowly lost 3-2 to the New Hamburg Huskies, while the under-18 AA 99ers fell 2-1 to the Glancaster Bombers.
Despite the losses, Brantford secured two championship titles. The U12 BB 99ers defeated the North London Nationals 3-2 on Sunday to claim victory. The under-15 BB 99ers also secured a title, beating the North London Nationals 3-1.
Murray praised the tournament’s organization and facilities, including the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre and Brant Sports Complex.
“We’ve had several compliments today from teams. It’s a well-run tournament. We play out of nice arenas, and we do our best,” he said.
The BMHA continues to focus on youth development through programs like the Toronto Maple Leafs First Shift and Second Shift, which introduce new players to hockey and build their skills. Murray believes events like the Wayne Gretzky International Tournament inspire young people to pursue the sport.
The Wayne Gretzky International Hockey Tournament remains a cornerstone event for Brantford, combining competitive hockey with community engagement while strengthening the city’s reputation as a hub for youth sports.
