PROVIDENCE BAY—Nothing brings people together faster on the Island than a good fundraiser and hockey tournament, even more so when it’s the 30th anniversary of something and someone really special.
Bradly McAllister was a young resident of Providence Bay who loved hockey and touched the lives and hearts of the many people he came to know during his short journey here. The McAllister Tournament first appeared on the scene as a kids’ hockey game in 1994, Bradly got to play that year and in ‘95, 30 years ago Bradly was at the arena, unable to play but cheering his mates on and handing out awards and enjoying the game and people that he loved so much.
Complications resulting from muscular dystrophy led to Bradly being hospitalized and fighting for his life. He celebrated his eighth birthday in December 1995 and sadly his family lost him only a few short weeks after. The McAllister games officially earned tournament status in 1998 when outside players became a part of it.
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| • Annual Bradly McAllister four-on-four tournament is celebrating its 30th anniversary |
Bradly McAllister played right up until 1994 and his family and their hockey legacy has remained a stronghold in this community ever since.
The annual tournament marked its 30th anniversary this past weekend and continues to be a part of a generational staple for teams and players Island-wide. The event is always a big success due the collaboration, contribution, support and efforts of the community centre board, the Agricultural Society, local businesses, local athletes, residents and volunteers.
This year was no exception. Day one was off to a quick start. Teams gained good momentum as the temperature dropped from Friday into Saturday leading to perfect ice and ideal skating conditions !
Twenty-six-year-old goalie Aaron Peltier took a hit in the second last game of Friday night and paramedics were called to assess his situation. A hard shooting player shot a puck that clipped his right ear and hit his head. Mindemoya nurse Chris came to his aid and assessed that it would be best to have EMS make sure he was okay so refs called the game. Mr. Peltier’s team continued on Saturday morning without him and the puck drops continued on Saturday into Sundays final.
Each game was filled with good old fashioned checks and challenges, goals and good times were had by all. On Saturday the arena was filled with players and families and generations of players who came to watch and cheer from the bleachers with all the bells, whistles and plexiglass pumps—the arena was humming.
“After 30 years, that’s the best part of this tourney, the families coming together, third, fourth and fifth generations of players all giving back and having fun,” said Keith McAllister who proudly assisted his grandkids Tucker, Hudson and Lainey in the puck drops at the start of Sunday finals.
The Kings warmed up the ice with a 6-1 win at the top of Sunday morning and Max King, Chris King, Zach Corrigan, Perry Cuomo, Tyler King, Cole Ling and Lucas Mackin posed for a quick pic to kick start the day.
The Frosty Beavers won 9-4 in the ladies final and sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to a teammate right from the penalty box.
Providence Bay Beaches proudly posed for pics and camaraderie and donated their winnings back to the community centre.
40+ GB Fossils fought hard winning the men’s final and donated their winnings back to the centre too. 40 + Runner -up was M’Chigeeng NDNs but they didn’t go out without a fight. With eight minutes left in the third period, refs made their respective calls and the game went into OT with 2-on-2 play ending in an intense 4-3 victory for the Fossils.
Sportsman B Kings played fast and furious against TBA winning 5-3. Both teams donated their winnings back to the community centre.
The men’s A division was up last and Jeff Karn, a friend and classmate to the late Bradly did him proud not only with his honorary puck-drop but with his team’s 4-2 final win against runner-up Team Campbell.
Special shout out to all the moving parts and sometimes hidden figures that make the magic happen at the inaugural and now 30-strong McAllister Tournament. The players on and off the ice, the bar backs, the tickets sellers, ticket holders, the draw keepers, prize table peeps, the scoreboard (Aubri Cranney and Kian Corbiere ) the schedule keepers, Darren Dewar, Renee Harper, Renee Cranston, the food handlers, the photo takers, the water and equipment crew, the refs, the coaches, the medics, the Zamboni Ice Jedis, The Providence Bay Curling Club, the Agricultural Society, the Canteen Queen Pauline King, and all of the amazing kids, players and most of all the McAllister Family for bringing us all together 30 years strong to celebrate Bradly, his legacy, of love, community spirit and hockey family heart shine on!
