This weekend's 13th annual Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey Windsor Plywood novice tournament is an exercise in community building.
The three-day event, which gets underway Friday morning (Nov. 13) at 9 a.m., pits seven-and eight-year-old boys and girls on 12 teams from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland beyond in games at The Q Centre, Westhills Arena and Juan de Fuca Arena.
A total of 180 players are participating and numerous local businesses have provided items to help with the fundraising efforts and ensure the event is a success.
"There are lots of wonderful baskets for raffle, and silent auction items that will be set up at The Q Centre on Saturday and Sunday, so come and check them out," said tournament co-ordinator Tracy Atkinson.
Juan de Fuca 4B kicks things off with the 9 a.m. game at The Q Centre against Saanich, while Juan de Fuca 4A plays Peninsula up the hill at the JdF arena at noon.
Victoria Racquet Club is the other local squad competing, while visiting teas are in town from North Shore (two), Coquitlam, Semiahmoo, North Vancouver, Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley.
After every game, both teams' coaches will make their picks for most valuable player and digger of the game awards. And all games Saturday end with a shootout for a pizza.
Friday and Saturday games are part of a round robin, while Sunday's playoff round starts with games at 8 a.m. at both The Q Centre and Juan de Fuca arenas. The gold medal game happens at the The Q Centre starting at 2 p.m.
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