THUNDER BAY – The road from Thunder Bay to the National Hockey League usually rolls through the Robin’s Minor Hockey Classic.
NHLers like the Staal brothers, Patrick Sharp and Taylor and Tom Pyatt all took part in the tournament, which dates back 46 years. It brings hundreds of players from four to 17 together for a weekend of fun – and the right to hoist the coveted championship trophy on Sunday night.
Kelly Mallon, vice-chairman of this year’s event, the 31st under the Robin’s banner, said it’s an event players circle on their calendars every hockey season.
“Everybody in Thunder Bay that plays hockey is in this tournament,” Mallon said on Thursday, moments after the puck dropped for a U11 contest between the Current River Comets and the KC Devils, kicking off the 2024 tournament at the Current River Arena.
“It’s one of the largest tournaments in Canada. There are 128 teams participating, and over 30 teams from out of town. This is where they can play not just the teams they usually face in Thunder Bay, but also the teams from Manitoba, Fort Frances, Dryden, Marathon, Kenora, Sioux Lookout and Wawa.”
Games will be played at every arena in Thunder Bay, as well as the Norwest Arena in Oliver Paipoonge.
It’s a big deal, said Mallon, whose kids played in the tournament while they were growing up. He said they always wanted to skate away with a championship.
“Winning this tournament was right up there with winning the city championship, in fact even more so, because you’re playing teams from out of town.”
Current River goaltender Oliver Marchessault said the tournament is important to kids like him, something to look forward to in mid-January.
“I’m really happy that I’m here,” he said.
The youngster said he likes his team’s chances, one of 19 squads vying this weekend for the under 11 title.
“I think we’re going to get pretty far and we might win this one,” Marchessault said.
Teammate Blair Simerson said the Comets have won their past two tournaments and want to continue their winning ways.
“We’ve won two and we’re going to win another one, maybe,” he said.
“It’s super fun and you get to play with your team.”
With 30 teams coming from out of town, Mallon said the Robin’s Minor Hockey Classic, put on by the Port Arthur Minor Hockey Association, has a big economic impact on the city, with hotel rooms booked and restaurants catering to hungry players and their families, celebrating a big win or reflecting on a game that might not have gone their way.
Scores and schedules are available at http://robinstournament.ca/.
