Back row, (l-r): Gary Dolynchuk, Dan Pimmier, Dale Lunan, Paul Rasilainen, Mike Black, Kevin Bulmer, Mike Morrow and Bob Couperus.

Front row, (l-r): Neil Shuttleworth, Dennis Petryshen, Max Andrew, Todd Lunan, Tony Wideski, Dan Wigle.

When teams from Cranbrook, Nelson and Invermere squared off in this year’s Nelson Regional Hockey Tournament in Cranbrook March 30-April 1, almost every team participating had a father and son combination.

Interest in this tournament has been low in the past few years but we are starting to see a new and youthful trend. It was nice to have the young fellas out there, but we couldn’t figure out how to slow them down without hooking, slashing or using some manner of a wrestling submission hold.

The Cranbrook District are this years champs. Hey, our hospitality only goes as far as the beer. Other award winners were Doug "Mucker" McMullin for the "Jiro Hamiguichi Award" (Big Heart Award) and Paul "Big Raz" Rasilainen for the George Commandeur Jr. Award for contribution to the tournament.

Another annual event at this tournament is Ron Kassian’s whining. Yes, he was at it again, something about a disputed goal? Old timers are getting used to this as Ron has made it to each and every tournament since its inception in 1997.

Next year is the tournament’s 25th anniversary. Let’s keep the tradition going—any volunteers?