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Bantam hockey provincials start Sunday in Nelson

The Bantam Leafs are one of eight teams vying for the title
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Former NHL player Simon Wheeldon holds one of several jerseys signed by pros that will be available for auction at the bantam provincials, which begin Sunday in Nelson. Photo submitted

Submitted

From Hornets to Kings, Stars to Smokies, there’ll be a colourful and talented bunch of young hockey players on the ice next week in Nelson.

Eight teams from all over the province will be travelling to Nelson as part of the 2017-18 B.C. Bantam Tier Three Hockey Championships.

The tournament, featuring some of the best 13-to-15 year-old players in the province, kicks off Sunday and runs until Wednesday.

Here are the teams who’ll be competing: Mission Bantam A1 Stars, Penticton Bantam Tier 3 Vees, Powell River Bantam Rep Kings, Dawson Creek Canucks, Sunshine Coast Blues, Cranbrook Hornets, Greater Trail Smokies, Terrace Kermodes, and your Nelson Bantam Leafs.

Games start first thing Sunday morning at 8:30, and run all day. The opening ceremonies, which the public is welcome to attend, start at 7:00 p.m. Sunday. Closing ceremonies will be held after the championship game, slated for Wednesday at 8 p.m.

The Nelson Leafs face off in their first game of the tournament at 11 a.m. Sunday versus the Penticton Vees. The Leafs play again that night versus the Terrace Kermodes at 7:30.

“We’re thrilled with the way the tournament is shaping up,” says tournament director Sandy Boyd. “The teams — some of whom are making huge efforts to get here from a long ways away — the long volunteer hours, the business sponsorship support, and the performance of the Bantam Leafs too.”

The Leafs captured the West Kootenay Hockey League Tier Three title this season, reached the finals in every tournament they’ve played in, and won the Penticton Tier Two Tournament earlier this month.

A collection of NHL jerseys and memorabilia will also be auctioned during the tournament. Items include retro jerseys of Nelson’s former and current hockey stars, including Danny Gare, Pat Price, Greg Adams, Mike Laughton, Simon Wheeldon, Jim Hiller, Bruno Campese and Dryden Hunt.

A Toronto Maple Leafs jersey signed by Auston Matthews, a Team Canada jersey signed by Steven Stamkos and Vancouver Canucks jersey signed by the entire roster, and a signed portrait of Johnny Gaudreau are also available.

More than 250 people are expected in town for the tournament, which will provide a significant economic boost for the city’s retail, hospitality and accommodation sectors.

For a complete schedule of games, go to nelsonmha.ca.