Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

U15 HOCKEY

KIBIHT kicks off for the 53rd edition of the hockey tournament

Dec 16, 2022 | 4:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — For the first time since 2020, KIBIHT is back beginning Friday night and running until Tuesday (Dec. 20).

The 2022 tournament will feature 26 teams, taking part in two divisions, in ice rinks throughout the city. Organizers are thrilled to welcome this marquee event back for its 53rd edition.

After a two-year hiatus, one of the biggest U15 hockey tournaments in the province is back on the ice in Kamloops. KIBIHT kicks off tonight at McArthur Island with the opening ceremony and a game between the Thompson Blazers and the Balgonie Prairie Storm.

“We’re so very excited. The committee of five has been working around the clock to put this thing together and we couldn’t be more proud to invite these teams back and celebrate KIBIHT and these hockey players and just give them that opportunity again,” board chair Wanda Cowles tells CFJC Today.

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This year, the tournament will feature 26 teams across two divisions. The U15 Tier I division is named after Randy Lindros and will have 18 teams vying for the title of Grand Champion. In the Founders Division, eight Tier 2 teams will battle it out for supremacy.

“We’ve got teams from Balgonie, which is outside of Regina, we’ve got Ft St John, our local favourites from Vernon, Chilliwack, Surrey,” Cowles says. “Sherwood Park, lots of Alberta representation, so you’re going to see some great hockey.”

Of course, Kamloops will be well-represented at the tournament. The U15 Thompson Blazers will compete in the top division, while the U15 Tier 2 and 3 Kamloops Blazers will take part in the Founder’s division.

In recent years, the tournament has taken place after Christmas. This year, organizers asked teams when they would be available to come to Kamloops. According to Cowles, this week worked best.

“Christmas and New Year is primarily a time when a lot of the academies are winding down a bit and having some downtime,” Cowles says. “We just decided we wanted to try something new, and with 18 teams in our [Tier 1] division and eight in our [Tier 2] division, it looks like we made the right choice.”

Games are scheduled across the city and will run all weekend. Champions in both divisions will be decided on Tuesday, December 20th, as the Mac Island Olympic rink.

“We run from [December] 16th through the 20th. There are games at Valleyview, Brock, Memorial, and here at [Mac Island], so I suggest getting out and watching some great hockey.”

For the full schedule, you can visit www.KIBIHT.com.