31st Hockey Saint-Laurent provincial tournament offically underway

The games have begun at the 31st Hockey Saint-Laurent provincial tournament and runs for 10 days, from January 9 to January 19.

“It’s a hard sport, it’s complicated, but when you start to know it, you get to have fun a lot,” said Andriano Zotti, eight, a goalie who is playing in the tournament. “When you’re beating a team, it’s like all the happiness is in you and it’s just exploding on the ice.”

Thousands of players between the ages of seven to 21 have brought their enthusiasm for Canada’s national winter sport. Over 120 teams from across Quebec have descended onto the city for their chance to win the big trophy.

Benjamin MacPhail, also young goalie, had a fond memory from his game earlier.

“Today I made a glove save… it was scary, I didn’t even see the puck,” he said.

Selena Caporusso is a player on La Force in Saint-Laurent, an all-girls hockey team that helped out with the opening ceremonies.

“I’m proud of my team,” said Caporusso, “I hope I encourage girls to join hockey also.”

An opening ceremony kicked off the tournament at Raymond-Bourque arena. The atmosphere was buzzing with players, fans and volunteers excited for puck drop.

The line to sharpen skates at Atelier Sportif was steady all night. Jonathan Bondu is deft at his craft, carefully checking each blade before handing them back to the customer. He says that he serviced at least 50 pairs of skates today. 

President of Hockey Saint-Laurent Pierre-Luc Beauchamp, says it took a year of organizing and it’s something different from the regular hockey season.

“It creates really like a fun atmosphere because they stay between games to watch the other teams and cheer for their friends,” he said. “Hockey is all about experience, you know… it starts in the locker room with your teammates the camaraderie and the friendship that is being created, and then it’s the action on the ice.”

Maggy and Wiliam Parent are twins who play on the same team and are also playing in the tournament.

“I started this year because I didn’t know how to skate and when I learned, I didn’t want to be a player,” said Maggy. “I started being goalie and I really like playing that position.”

Wiliam says that he started practicing outdoors and eventually told his parents that he wanted to play.

“I was thinking that was bad because when I was looking at the television, the NHL [players] were really good,” Wiliam said. “I was scared, but then I went to the practice and it went really good.”

His advice to other people interested in learning the sport is, “you’re gonna get better and better over time.”

Their dad, Mario Parent, is a proud hockey dad.

“It’s a fun event,” he said. “You know, I’m glad to be part of Ville Saint Laurent, they’re doing an amazing job and you know what? Action!”

“We hope it’s bigger and bigger every year,” said the director of women’s hockey and marketing for Hockey Saint-Laurent, Lysanne Abelardo. “There was a waiting list this year, and we hope to just to continue, continue, uh, building this community.”

It’s a bittersweet time for some of the older players as it’s their last year playing.

“Being able to work towards one mission together as a team, it’s my favourite part,” said Chris Mikas, who plays forward for the Saint-Laurent Spartans. “It’s the friendships you make and the life lessons you gain, they’re very valuable and they’ll stay with you for the rest of your life, so that’s why I love hockey.”

“It’s my last go at this Saint Laurent tournament with this group of guys,” said Evan Athanasiou, a goalie for the Spartans who has played for at least three years in the Hockey Saint-Laurent tournament. “I’ve been playing with them for many years so it’s just a whirlwind of emotions and most importantly, just excitement to get out there and have fun.”