On November 21st, the Boyer Chrysler Minor Peewee AE Team made their way to Raleigh, South Carolina to play in the Thanksgiving, Wishbone Classic Tournament.
This wasn't just your average tournament weekend away, this was a weekend of hockey memories that will last a lifetime.
Many of the players and their families packed up and, headed for South Carolina early so that they could attend the PNC Arena and watch the Carolina Hurricanes take on the Maple Leafs. Our Nighthawks proudly made signs, and even got to pose for a picture with hometown hero, Justin Williams.
The players were also given the opportunity to play on the NHL ice and stay and watch the Hurricanes practice the following morning. They collected autographs, took photos and soaked up the entire experience.
The tournament was also a big success for the Minor Peewee AE team. They played hard over the course of the weekend, and battled all the way to the finals, where they played a tough competition and just fell short of the championship.
Once hockey is over for these players, it becomes a collection of memories that they keep over the years. Whether it was something fun they did in practices, or rivals that they faced year after year, or playoff runs that went in and out of their favour. Hockey memories almost always include tournaments, hotels, pools, bonding with your teammates in the hallways during a crazy game of mini sticks and of course the championship trophies collected along the way.
Every once in a while, a team's coaches/managers will go above and beyond and give their players a unique opportunity, to experience something that is a little extra special. Something that will cement the wonderful memories of their minor hockey careers. This weekend of NHL games, watching and interacting with the pros, playing their game and representing the Nighthawks in another country will certainly be in the forefront for years to come.
Such a fun opportunity for this group!
