Another successful March Break hockey tournament in the books for the Wolves

As things were winding down Monday afternoon with only the championship games for the U11, U13 and U15 divisions left to be played, an exhausted James Cadeau seemed to be running on adrenalin. 

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Wolves Minor Hockey Association’s tournament convenor was on his fourth day of doing everything but sleeping at the arenas. After checking in visiting teams, ensuring the correct iPads were handed to the right scoring crews, answering a myriad of questions, and coaching his own U18 team in the tournament, Cadeau couldn’t wait to get some rest.

But he would have to wait until after playing in his own Hot Tub League hockey game later that night. 

He took some time before then to reflect upon the 41-team local league tournament, only his second as tournament convenor following last November’s Harvest Classic, a travel team event. 

“As far as the kids’ excitement and the competitiveness in each division, it was a great tournament,” Cadeau told The Local. “It’s nice to watch the real little ones get excited about playing and the trophies. It’s really all about the experience.”

For many of the U9 teams, in both the local league and minor development brackets, it was the first chance to compete against teams from other centres. Ontario Minor Hockey Association rules forbid that age group to play on a full ice surface until the second half of their season. The joy on their faces was evident as they stepped onto the ice at both the Meridian Credit Union and Centennial Arenas. 

Nine Wolves teams competed in the six divisions last weekend. Though none captured gold medals, the U9 local league team and the U18 team number one, coached by Cadeau, both won silver. Four other Wolves teams made it out of their round-robin stages to qualify for semi-final games.

The lobby and the stands at both arenas were packed with kids, parents and family members all weekend long, while the concession stand and barbecue continued to be busy into Monday afternoon.

Cadeau is quick to share the responsibility for the tournament’s success with others on the Wolves’ executive board, all of whom were spotted last weekend helping out in some capacity. 

Volunteer supervisor Carrie Plaskett was keeping an eye on the parents and students who were spending time in the scorer’s booth for the 80 games played over four days. Between 50 and 60 people contributed in that role or in helping to man the barbecue. 

Even though Anthony Felice’s son August, a member of the U13 Wolves travel team, wasn’t playing in the tournament, Anthony was at the grill all four days, cooking the best hot dogs in town. 

“Anthony was amazing,” said Plaskett. “He kept that barbecue going. We went out there a couple of times and told him he could close it up but he stayed out there and just seemed to love it. We call him the Famous Grill King.”

For the first time, there was a six-page tournament program available. Cadeau gives credit for that to Tania Fera-Vangent, the Wolves' public relations director. 

“She always has a lot of great ideas,” he raved. “She wanted to get all the players’s names in there, but there wasn’t enough time to put it together. We definitely will do that for the next tournament, though. We always try to improve these tournaments every year.”

The local business community is always a big supporter of the March Break tournament, and there was no exception to that this year. In another first, some were recognized with their logos on the boards in the Meridian Credit Union Arena, making it look a bit like a professional hockey game. 

Another popular addition was a team set of vouchers for a free wine tasting at Wayne Gretzky Estates. Cadeau overheard many parents confirming that they had taken advantage of that perk. 

As well, Taylor Lawson of Virgil business Lawson Signcrafters surprised Cadeau when he showed up with a large vinyl signboard complete with each of the division’s draws affixed to it. When Cadeau asked Lawson for the invoice, the generous business owner told him it was a donation to the club.

Other executive members could be spotted taking on multiple roles. Phil Leboudec helped arrange for barbecue supplies but also was behind the bench with Cadeau for five games and on the ice as a referee for many others. Mike Cwiertnietski, Glen Davis, Gary Friesen, Joe Pagnotta and club president Peter Flynn all coached Wolves teams that played in the tournament on top of helping to keep the weekend rolling smoothly.

The two tournaments run by the Wolves each year are the biggest fundraising efforts for the club. And the fact that registrations for both the Harvest Classic and the March Break Tournament were filled months in advance bodes well for the club’s finances. 

And though the action and excitement at the arena may have given the impression that the hockey season was coming to a close for the local players this weekend, that’s far from the truth. Local league playoffs begin in about two weeks, with several NOTL teams beginning their quest to capture their respective titles.