The organizers of this year’s edition of the Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament (KIBIHT) say the five-day tournament was a big success.
Speaking on NL Mornings, Bob Dever, says its always a bittersweet feeling when the tournament – which ran between Dec. 15 and Dec. 19 – comes to an end.
“The build up is frantic, and there is lots that goes on behind the scenes,” Dever said. “You try to enjoy as best you can and catch some games here and there, bits and pieces but then when its all over, its a big relief.”
With 41 teams – including one from as far away as Romania – this was the largest iteration in the tournament’s 54-year history.
“Before this, the biggest we had had was 32 teams and two divisions. When you add the female side and another division in tier 3 and open it up to more players and more teams from more cities, it’s a lot,” Dever added. “It’s fantastic.”
“Its a real boon [for the city] at a time when yeah, its busy with pre Christmas, but we don’t get a lot of hotel nights here leading into the holidays.”
There was some local content atop the podium this year as the Thompson Blazers U-15-A1 team were winners of the inaugural female division, named after Kamloops hockey product Kendra Woodland.
“It’s been fantastic,” said Dever, of the new girls division. “The people around just around Kamloops even are so excited to see the female division start up and I think the local team is going to have a really good showing.”
#Kamloops wins U15 female @kendra_woodland Division at KIBIHT. pic.twitter.com/x0XHnB7jue
— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) December 20, 2023
The Chilliwack U-15 A2 team won the Trevor Lindros Tier 3 division, the Chilliwack U-15 A1 team took home the Founders Tier 2 division trophy, while the Balgonie Prairie Storm were crowned the Randy Lindros Tier 1 division champions.
“The best part is to see so many kids and coaches, and managers, and parents, and just walking through the lobbies of the arenas there are big smiles on their faces when they win, and there’s always the long face when they come up short,” Dever said.
“By and large, it is a great event.”
