CHRIS LOWREY
SHAWVILLE
Feb. 27-March 1, 2020
The Shawville Arena was bustling this weekend as the eighth annual Fish Findlay Classic got underway.
The 3 on 3 tournament has . . .
taken place each of the last eight years as the hockey season winds down and has raised thousands for local minor hockey.
All of the after-cost funds raised by the tournament are donated to the Shawville District Minor Hockey Association (SDMHA), and are used to help lower the costs of registration for players.
“Everything goes back to Shawville Minor Hockey,” said tournament organizer, Darcy Findlay. The event typically brings in between $5,000 and $10,000 each year.
The tournament features 25 teams spread across four divisions. The on-ice action was extremely quick as the games are played 3 on 3.
Findlay’s team won the A division, while the B division was won by team Kayzer, the C division by team Nyveld and the Women’s division by team Murray.
Each team is awarded bragging rights for the year along with a handful of cash, which many teams choose to donate back to the SDMHA.
The tournament got under way on Thursday night and ran through until the champions were crowned on Sunday.
The silent auction upstairs in the Lions Hall featured signed Bobby Orr and Darryl Sittler photos as well as Gongshow and Cabela items.
After years of wrangling volunteers and recruiting teams, Findlay says the organizing process for the tournament has gotten much easier.
“It sort of runs itself,” he said. “Definitely fewer headaches now than over the years.”
To highlight the ease of organizing, Findlay said he basically orchestrated everything up to puck-drop last year from Flint, Michigan where he coached the OHL’s Flint Firebirds.
But he said it was nice to be back and playing.
“It’s always fun to play in,” he said. “It’s a great weekend.”
This year the organizers coordinated with Atkinson’s Sports Bar where there was a DJ on Friday night and a live band on Saturday. The Shawville Lions Club had their bar fully stocked as well for folks who stuck around the arena.
“It’s just fun to get everybody out and be with your friends and family,” Findlay said. “And obviously, raising money for minor hockey, which is even better.”
