December 23, 2011
Posted in Ontario Edition, Minor, Tournament Previews
By Sam Laskaris /
Organizers of one of the province’s longest-run tournaments have decided to make their event considerably smaller this year.
The 47th annual North Toronto Christmas Tournament, which runs Dec. 26 to 31, is expected to feature between 70 to 75 teams. All of the entrants are House League Select squads.
A tournament high of 102 clubs had participated at the 2010 event.
“We purposely capped the tournament at 80 teams this year,” said tournament chairperson Christine Nielsen. “Last year the tournament got really big and extremely expensive.”
Despite the scaled-back tourney, matches will continue to be held at three facilities. They are the North Toronto Memorial Arena, St. Michael’s College School Arena and the Larry Grossman Forest Hill Memorial Arena.
All of the competing teams are from Ontario, except for a Chicago-based side entered in the Novice category.
Organizers are hoping to operate 12 divisions at this year’s tournament, for clubs ranging from Tyke to Senior Midget.
“The younger ages are the ones most excited to participate,” Nielsen said.
And due to a province-wide rule which came into effect earlier this year, Nielsen added it has proven to be somewhat difficult attracting some clubs in the older age groups.
This past spring the Ontario Hockey Federation banned contact (body checking) for all age divisions in House League and House League Select matches.
“We’re okay with that,” Nielsen said. “There’s nothing we can do about it.”
Prior to this ruling, there was no contact allowed for most OHF-sanctioned House League teams. But there was contact allowed for those playing House League Select, starting at the Minor Peewee level.
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