Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

54th ANNUAL KIBIHT

KIBIHT kicks off Friday with renewed international presence

Dec 11, 2023 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament (KIBIHT) Is back for its 54th year, with games kicking off on ice surfaces all across the city on December 15.

This year, the true international flavour returns to the event, as teams from across Western Canada will be joined by teams from Washington State and even the Transylvanian region of Romania. Organizers are excited for the event to get underway.

“It’s a great opportunity to get out and see some good talent,” Wanda Cowles, tournament chair tells CFJC Today. “It’s our biggest — 41 teams. We have teams from Alberta, B.C., Washington State and Transylvania. We’re excited to bring back the international flair to the tournament, which is what has been missing, of course, with COVID in the last few years.”

With that many teams in the city, the arenas from Brock to Valleyview will be buzzing. According to Cowles, organizers are still in need of volunteers to help with several tasks. That includes running the score clock.

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“Kamloops is such a great supporter but our biggest challenge right now is assistance,” Cowles says. “We need assistance with running the score clocks and time clocks. We are paying this year, so it’s $25 per slot to come out and help. [Anyone interested] can send a note to KIBIHTVolunteer@gmail.com and we can send out the sheet.”

Along with the return of international teams to this year’s tourney, 2023 will mark the first time KIBIHT has had a female division. Cowles is excited the event is more exclusive and hopes more folks will come out to take part in the event.

“You won’t want to miss it. We’ve added a female division, so it’s an exciting time for KIBIHT. $30 gets you a tournament pass for the whole week, then it’s $10 per day.”

For more information, you can visit the tournament website at www.KIBIHT.com.