Reunion Cup to replace Heritage Cup tournament

(L-R) Brent Recoskie, Chummy Gienow, Bill Green, Dan Conway, Mason Roesler

Photo submitted

The Opeongo Heritage Cup has been put on hold this year but fortunately for all the hockey-lovers, there will be another game in town. The Reunion Cup will be held at the Paul J. Yakabuski Community Centre the weekend of Mar. 23 – 25, 2018. The Minor Hockey teams will be kicking off the weekend with a tournament of their own on Thursday night, Mar. 22.

The annual Opeongo Heritage Cup has become both a spectacle of local hockey talent and a homecoming of sorts. Most of the players in the tournament have moved away because of jobs or school commitments but the tournament brings them back home, to enjoy family, friends and some great hockey. The idea of the multicultural hockey tournament was started by Johnny Kashub (David Shulist). Since its inception in 2006, the vision of Opeongo Heritage Cup is to have cultural teams represented from the Bonnechere & Madawaska Valleys. The valley has many different cultures and the most notable are the Algonquin, Kashubian, German and Irish. The spirit of the tournament teams connects to our proud cultures and brings communities together to have fun and enjoy our national pastime, hockey.

However this year will be different.

“We are taking a break to resolve some internal problems and are hopeful the Opeongo Heritage Cup tournament will be back on the ice next year,” explained David Shulist, the president of the Opeongo Heritage Cup.

Dan Conway, Chris Gienow and Bill Green have come together to organize the Reunion Cup hockey tournament. Chris said, “Hockey has always been a big attraction in the Madawaska Valley and we wanted to give the players and our community this opportunity to come together and enjoy a fun filled weekend. The game of hockey has been a part of our history for as long as we can remember. We cannot lose the momentum of this tournament; it provides our community with the opportunity to meet up with old friends and play or enjoy some competitive hockey.”

Bill Green, the president of the Barry’s Bay Area Minor Hockey Association, has been a driving force behind the success of this organization. Green said,

“We have a team of dedicated volunteers that help make minor hockey what it is today and I congratulate them for their efforts. From Novice to Midget, boys and girls, it really is amazing to watch these kids grow and thrive. Playing hockey builds their confidence, athletic skills, and team spirit; it gives them a sense of belonging. Hockey teaches them so many life lessons while having a lot of fun doing it.  We are very excited to be part of the Reunion Cup Tournament.”

There will be 90 players competing in three games Thursday evening so come out and support the teams. Dan Conway credits them,

“These young players are the future of hockey in this country.”

Reunion Cup organizers (L-R) Bill Green, Chris Gienow, Dan Conway, Matt LeClerc

The Recreation, Heritage and Culture Committee of Madawaska Valley Township wholeheartedly supported the Reunion Cup Tournament at its meeting on Jan. 30, giving the Minor Hockey Association the Minor Hockey rate for the Thursday night ice rental as well as a discounted rate on the arena rental for the Saturday night dance.

This event is a definite boost to our local economy. Wendell Henry of the Ash Grove Inn stated,

“The Opeongo Heritage Cup was a very successful event for us and we’re thrilled that Dan, Chris and Bill have stepped forward to plan the Reunion Cup hockey tournament. The fact that the tournament is held in late March, near the end of the snowmobile season and going into the early spring, it helps our business get through the off-season hump. Every year since the hockey tournament has been running, ten years or so, we are booked with the players and their families. Our motel is full and our dining room is full Friday evening through Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

Admission prices are $5.00 Thursday night; $20.00 for the 3-day weekend pass or $10.00 each night Friday through Sunday. A dance will be held upstairs in the Arena lounge Saturday evening from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Admission is $10.00, with entertainment by the band ‘Sidewinder’.

All proceeds from the Reunion Cup Tournament will be donated to the Barry’s Bay Area Minor Hockey Association. The organizers hope to raise between $20,000 and $25,000. The money will be used to help pay for ice time, uniforms, equipment, insurance and a myriad of other expenses. Volunteers are needed so if you have the time and want to get involved, please contact Bill Green at presidentbbay@gmail.com

We are a small community with a big heart so come out, have some fun and support the tournament.

The Current will publish the Reunion Cup schedule soon.