Local hockey tournament draws 28 teams from Ontario, Michigan

of a couple of Oldtimers’ tournaments offered in the Windsor-Essex region. He noted the COVID-19 pandemic impacted oldtimers hockey.

“Years ago, there used to be five local tournaments and now there are only two,” he noted.

Of the 28 teams taking part this year, they were broken down into an Open Division which was for 19-and-up as well as divisions for 50-plus and 60-plus. Rousseau said that since they moved the tournament to the Libro Centre, they have always had 28 teams.

“The young guys think they are going to the NHL,” joked Rousseau. “There are a lot of former junior players but this is recreational.”

The Amherstburg Sunday Morning League has seven teams and they joined forces to enter four squads in this year’s tournament.

By Fred Groves

Hundreds of recreational hockey players laced up their blades this past weekend as the Libro Centre was the site of the annual Amherstburg Oldtimers Hockey Tournament.

Chatham, Wheatley, Tilbury and Leamington were all represented at the event that once again had 28 teams that played in several different divisions.

“They come from Southwestern Ontario and Michigan. We advertise all over,” said tournament organizer Jim Rousseau.

Beginning Friday night and extending late into Sunday afternoon, teams were guaranteed a minimum of three games. Both rinks at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg were used.

According to Rousseau, the event has been going for about 40 years and the one in Amherstburg is only one

One of the games Sunday saw former Essex 73’s and Leamington Flyers standout goalie Trevor Wheaton help his team win in a very exciting shootout. The game was a draw 1-1 after the first period, still deadlocked after a 3-on-3 fast paced overtime and Wheaton shut the door in the shootout.

It is believed the tournament dates back to the the early 1980’s when Ron Lenson, Sr. started it up. His son, Ron, Jr. continues to be involved with the event.

Rousseau said the tournament was sanctioned by the Canadian Adult Recreation Hockey League.

MP Lewis aids “Canadian Firearm Owners Stand with Ukraine”

Special to the RTT

Essex MP Chris Lewis joined Chris Profota, Canadian Rep Principal at Weatherby, Inc. and Jenn Gadbois, Managing Director, Canadian Sporting Arms & Ammunition Association (CSAAA) in a cheque presentation to a representative of the Canada Ukraine Foundation.

Called “Canadian Firearm Owners Stand With Ukraine,” the partnership raffled off a rare Weatherby firearm for $20 per ticket. A cheque presentation was made Feb. 25 at General Gun & Supply in Windsor.

Entries sold raised more than $17,000 for children affected by the war in Ukraine. According to a press release sent out by Lewis’ office, this effort was initiated by Lewis and Profota, hosted by the CSAAA and sponsored by Weatherby, Inc.

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