Little players, big dreams at Robin's hockey tournament in Thunder Bay
Kids as young as four are playing in the minor hockey tournament in Thunder Bay this week
Hockey rinks in Thunder Bay, Ont. are busy this week, as hundreds of players compete in the Robin's Minor Hockey Classic.
The tournament, which includes players between the ages of four, and 17, is billed as one of the biggest minor hockey events in the country.
On Thursday, Novice players took to the ice at Grandview Arena, in search of fun, and trophies.
"I like skating fast and it's just fun scoring goals and looking at everything — all the colours and the teams," said Kady Kuuskivi, 7, who plays for the VP Bearcats.
Many of the young players have big dreams for the future.
The tournament is "very exciting ... because you could win a trophy," said player Sig Fossum, who added that he also enjoys seeing his friends at the event. Fossum said his long-term goal is to play for the NHL.
Scoring goals and getting assists are the best parts of the game for Noah Johnson, 7, who plays for the KC Flyers. His dream is to one day play for his favourite team, The Tampa Bay Lightning.
For many young players, the Robin's tournament is a memorable event, said Kevin Jewatt, the president of the Port Arthur Minor Hockey Association, and one of the coordinators of the tournament
"They just love it," he said. "If they go far enough and they win a medal or a trophy — it's a big thing for them to win the Robin's."