By Jan Dean
IF you judge an event by smiles, the second annual Brooks Lowe Hockey Jamboree was a success on many levels. For the players who made up the eight U7 teams and the eight U8 teams it was a huge success. Teams came from Thamesford, Waterford, Six Nations, Caledonia, Tillsonburg, Ayr, Wainfleet, St. George and Langton.
Participants enjoyed playing their games, as well as a pizza lunch and the chance to meet players from other teams and towns. For the parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents etc. it was a great opportunity to see one of their own on the ice.
For the coaches and volunteers involved it was reassuring to see that joy and a soupçon of skill that showed on the ice despite the youth of the players.
The Jamboree started with Brooks Lowe’s wife, Robin Lowe, and granddaughter Hailey taking part in the official puck drop. Brooks Lowe was known for his love of sports and helping youth in the community.
The organizers were Port Dover Minor Hockey Association (PDMHA) directors Kevin Cuerrier, Tyler Arps and Ryan Nightingale who could not attend the event.
It was a busy day for Arps and Cuerrier. They also had to get their own Port Dover Pirates teams ready and on the ice to play their games.
The event was well organized and on time throughout the day. The Port Dover rink was divided into two playing surfaces. Because it was a Jamboree nobody kept score – except players and family who counted saves and goals for their player.
A hockey tournament where nobody loses means many smiles.
The organizers were happy the community once again stepped up. The Jamboree sponsors were South Coast Osteopathy, Breedyk Homes, Charles Jones, Norfolk Hearing Clinic Inc., and Rachel Larose, realtor, Erie’s Edge Real Estate.
Additionally, Wayne Bootsma donated all the milk for the event. Scotlynn volunteers manned the arena’s concession stand for the day, and volunteers sold raffle tickets for Toronto Maple Leafs and Brantford Bulldogs games.
In his first tournament seven-year-old Bennett Braunlin of Wainfleet played goalie for his team. He said it was a bit intimidating but it was still fun and exciting—especially with his dad and aunt cheering.
Blake Austin, a six-year-old member of the U7 Pirates 2 team, was proud to say this was his first tournament of the year and he was having a great time.
Meanwhile, Jack Coles, 17, manned the lobby desk selling Pirates team Jibbitz for the PDMHA and for school credit—although his sport is rugby.
When the players weren’t on the ice they were still in a hockey state of mind. You could tell by the number of mini-stick hockey games happening wherever they could find some space.
There was even a young girl learning to roller skate around the rink with her mom’s help.
It was a great day and PDMHA is already looking forward to next year’s third annual Brooks Lowe Hockey Jamboree.
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Originally published January 8, 2025
