May the Fourth be with you: Kids hit the ice for Star Wars-themed hockey tournament
Star Wars characters took over Winsport on Saturday to celebrate May the Fourth.
While it wasn’t the snowy planet of Hoth, the ice surface was filled with kids donning themed jerseys for the Star Wars Classic.
May 4 has become a tradition among Star Wars fans to celebrate a galaxy far, far away. The date is a play on words of the iconic catchphrase, “May the force be with you.”
The annual tournament, put on by the AMP Youth Hockey Development Program, brought together 140 kids for games of three-on-three.
“We have Chewbacca, we have Darth Vader, all the characters, and we bring out the characters on the ice to celebrate with the kids,” Patrick Breault, the director of hockey operations at AMP, said.
“It's a really fun way to do three-on-three hockey, which we do all year round. But May the Fourth is a special weekend for the kids for Star Wars.”
There were three divisions of youth teams, aged U7, U9 and U11. The divisions were divided into four teams, named after Star Wars characters: Stormtroopers, Chewbacca, R2-D2 and Darth Vader.
Breault said the event adds a bit of excitement for the kids, outside of their usual drills and practices.
“They still get to play hockey. And sometimes they even play a little bit more competitive,” he said.
The playoff round will run on Sunday, with the winners hoisting Star Wars-themed trophies.
Some of the parents even hit the ice as part of the festivities, trying out sledge hockey with the kids.
“We have a good affiliation with sledge hockey and trying to develop that program. So this is also just a great tie-in for sledge hockey and Star Wars,” Breault said.
With files from CTV News Calgary’s Tyler Barrow
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Amber Alert issued for 2 toddlers near Quebec City
Police have issued an Amber Alert for two children who have gone missing from near Quebec City.
Netanyahu acknowledges 'tragic mistake' after Rafah strike kills dozens of Palestinians
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that a "tragic mistake" had been made after an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians and, according to local officials, killed at least 45 people.
Mike Tyson had medical issue on cross-country flight
Boxing legend Mike Tyson required medical attention after experiencing an 'ulcer flare up' toward the end of a cross-country flight Sunday, his representatives confirmed to the New York Post.
Why Canada's big grocery stores are under investigation
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.
Arrests made in 'highly orchestrated' GTA auto theft operation: police
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'
Indigo Books & Music shareholders vote to approve privatization sale
Indigo Books & Music Inc. shareholders have voted to approve a deal that will see the retailer become a private company.
Quebec police investigating after entire herd of 75 cattle allegedly stolen
Quebec provincial police are investigating after an entire herd of about 75 cattle were allegedly stolen in the Eastern Townships region last week.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Canada pledges visas for 5,000 Gaza residents related to Canadians
Canada said on Monday it would grant temporary visas to 5,000 Gaza residents under a special program for Canadians' relatives living in the war-torn enclave, a preparatory move in case they are able to leave in the future.