PCMHA - 37th Bantam Memorial Tournament - Message from our President

PCMHA: A message from our President

 

On behalf of Pictou County Minor Hockey Association, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the Bantam Memorial Tournament, which has been held annually to honor the memory of three members of the 1983/84 Scotsburn Dairy Bantam A team, and a mother whose lives were lost in a tragic motor vehicle accident returning home from a game in February 1984. Although the COVID-19 pandemic will prevent the 37th Bantam (U15) Memorial Tournament from taking place in Pictou County this year, we will continue to remember and pay tribute to John MacDonald, Shawn McKay, Donald Gladwin and Lee Marie McKay who lost their lives returning from the game they loved. We will also continue to remember the families of John, Shawn, Donald & Marie, who have actively and courageously participated in the Memorial Tournament each year to honor their loved ones. Also, to the teammates and coaches - the Memorial Tournament honors your courage and dedication to one another during the years since the tragedy.

 

Personally, the second week of February has always been a very important time of the hockey season. I have had the fortune of participating in the Memorial Tournament as a player, parent, coach, president of PCMHA and, more importantly, as a true fan of the event. Some of my fondest memories are: listening to the bagpipes play and Henry sign O Canada as the Opening Ceremonies kick-off the Memorial Tournament each year; seeing each Crusher & Dairymen player play with extreme pride while wearing the black arm band with 2 / 9 / 20 stitched on it to honor John, Shawn & Donald; watching the families of John, Shawn, Donald & Lee Marie take an active and honorable role in presenting the trophies that honor their name to deserving young players who accept them with gratitude and honor; and finally being part of an event that brings our entire community together, welcomes teams from all over Atlantic Canada with open arms, and displays our true community values of remembrance, dedication, hard work and hospitality.

 

We are deeply sadden that PCMHA is unable to host the 37th Memorial Tournament during the 2020-21 hockey season. Even though we cannot come together in remembrance this season, we know the tournament will continue in years to come, and will always be an honorable tribute to John MacDonald, Shawn McKay, Donald Gladwin and Lee Marie McKay, as well as the entire 1983/84 Scotsburn Dairy Bantam A team.

 

Chris Stewart

President - PCMHA

on behalf of PCMHA Executive