February 22, 2012
Posted in Ontario Edition, Tournament Previews
BY SAM LASKARIS /
Even if they had little regular season success, numerous Toronto-area clubs can still finish-off their year on an upbeat note.
That’s because about 175 squads are expected to compete in this year’s Pro Hockey Life King Clancy Tournament.
The event, which will feature between 18 to 20 divisions, will start as early as Feb. 24. Tournament finals will then be staged Apr. 13-15 at the MasterCard Centre, the practice facility for the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs.
This tournament has been organized annually since 1937 by the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). The event is open to all GTHL non-playoff teams at the A, AA and AAA levels.
Also, A clubs from the Mississauga Hockey League that did not advance to their post-season are eligible as well.
“It’s good for everybody,” said tournament director Jeff Stewart. “It’s good for the coaches, the players and the parents. A lot of parents don’t want their seasons to end this early. Some teams are done their regular season in early February.”
All participating clubs will play a minimum of four games in the tournament, usually a game per week.
“It’s a chance to keep their season going,” Stewart said. “We keep them playing for well over a month.”
Stewart added though all the participating squads are non-playoff teams, the players are traditionally keen to perform well in this event.
“Just because they didn’t do well in their regular season, this tournament helps keep them motivated and to keep them playing possibly into April,” he said.
Stewart also said many enjoy this tournament as it run up until mid-April. Shortly afterwards, later that month, tryouts for the upcoming season are staged for the various rep teams.
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