By Daniel Nugent-Bowman /
Sledge hockey players of all ages and skill levels will soon have the chance to compete in another tournament.
That’s because Cruisers Sports for the Physically Disabled – a Brampton-based charity that offers competitive and recreational sporting opportunities to people with physically disabilities – will be hosting the inaugural Cruisers Cup, Nov. 6 to 8 at South Fletcher’s Sportsplex in Brampton.
The event, which features teams in the Ontario Sledge Hockey Association, plus Montreal and the north-eastern United States, will mark only the second competition on the sledge hockey seasonal calendar.
“It came about out of necessity,” said Chris Gee, who coaches an intermediate level Cruisers team and also serves on the organization’s board of directors.
“In our schedule in Ontario, there’s only one other tournament offered. It was a huge need within the sledge hockey community for another tournament. Teams were asking for it.”
The Cruisers Cup will have three divisions including junior, for those under 16; intermediate A, for advanced players; and B, for novices. After Friday night and Saturday morning matchups, the opening ceremonies will occur with the likes of the Peel Regional Police honour guard, Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell, and legendary Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Johnny Bower in attendance.
“We have a very strong connection with Peel Regional Police, so were able to get them and their honour guard for opening ceremonies,” said Gee, noting that Bower has a figurehead position as Honourary Chief with the Peel Police. “[Bower] was asked if he’d like to attend and he was very gracious with his time and more than willing to come out.”
On top of the local celebrities, Gee is thankful for the support Cruisers Sports has received from the Peel Region – an area comprised of Brampton and Mississauga – to enable them to run their tournament.
“It really came down to asking both cities whether or not this opportunity could come to fruition and ultimately Brampton came forward and opened some ice for us,” said the lifelong hockey player.
“The mayor of Brampton and the mayor of Mississauga have always been very supportive of the club. I think both worked very diligently to try and make this tournament happen.”
While most of the teams attending are from sledge hockey’s hub in southern Ontario, the goal is to give the tournament a truly international flavour sooner than later.
“The hope is to eventually turn this into an international tournament,” said Gee. “Russia is looking to put together a Paralympic sledge hockey team…and they’re looking to [play] some exhibition games here in Canada against some of the upper-tier teams.
“We’re hoping to catch them while they’re here and include a team from Russia next year as well.” |