The community of Merritt and both local arenas were packed last week as the 28th edition of the Nicola Valley Junior Native Hockey Tournament took over the town.
A total of 23 teams from across B.C. took part in the tournament that saw 53 games take place in a span of just three days.
“It’s the most teams that we’ve had in quite a few years,” tournament organizer Bill Bose said. “There would be even more teams from further back east if the tournament didn’t conflict with provincial rep playoffs that are going on.”
If any more teams do come on board, Bose anticipates the tournament will have to shift to four days to fit in all the games.
Local teams took two of the five titles up for grabs at this year’s tournament.
In the Initiation division, the Nicola Valley Colts went a perfect 4-0 to take the title. They defeated Chase by scores of 13-1 and 13-3, and Williams Lake 8-0 in preliminary round action, then beat Williams Lake 8-5 in a very competitive final.
The Colts’ Wade Rauch was chosen the tournament MVP. He scored nine goals in his team’s four outings, including a pair in the championship game.
The other local victory came in the peewee division where the Merritt Warriors emerged on top in a field of four teams.
Nicola Valley Colt and tournament all-star Jalen McRae (right) celebrates one of his goals on the weekend in the championship game against the Okanagan Younguns on Saturday. The Younguns edged the Colts 6-4. Ian Webster/Herald
The Warriors outscored their opposition 45-7 to win all four of their games. They defeated the Chase Chiefs 5-3 in the gold medal game.
Two-time tournament MVP Spencer Vaughan led the Warrior scoring parade with 12 goals. He was joined on the peewee all-star squad by teammates Atrayu Johnny and goalie Bryce Garcia.
In the atom division, the Nicola Valley Colts placed second overall, losing to the defending champions, the Okanagan Younguns, 6-4 in the championship game.
The Colts’ Ryler King took tournament MVP honours. He was joined on the all-star team by fireplug Jalen McRae and Merritt’s Graycin Nicholls who suited up for the Ashcroft team along with his brother Cameron.
A local team had to settle for second overall as well in the midget/juvenile division. The Merritt Warriors fell to a very strong Williams Lake side 6-3 in Saturday’s final game.
Third place in the midget/juvenile category went to the Nicola Valley Warriors who were edged 3-2 by their Merritt counterparts in a very exciting semi-final that pitted local goaltenders Sam Suzuki and Kristian Stead against one another.
Merritt’s Bradley Colter and Nick McCabe, along with Nicola Valley’s Tyler Billy were all chosen as tournament all-stars.
Finally, in the bantam division, Merritt and Nicola Valley Warrior teams finished third and fifth respectively. Darius Sam was chosen a tournament all-star.
