The stands were packed at the Drumheller and Morrin arenas when teams from all over the province came down to play in the Charmont Memorial Tournament this past weekend.
Two teams from Drumheller, the Yavis and Encana atom Raptors, rose to the top of their respective pools in the tournament.
The Encana Raptors, who played in the B pool ended the weekend as champions.
“They won the B final 5-4 over Okotoks on Sunday. It was a back and forth tension filled game,” said Paul Richard, head coach of the Encana Raptors. “Both sides were really happy the teams were very competitive and it wasn’t a blow out either way. It came down to the last two minutes of the game. The kids tried really hard. The coaches are proud of their effort.”
The Encana Raptors started off the tournament on the right foot, winning their first game. They ran into trouble and lost their next two, but managed to bounce back and earn a spot in the finals.
The Yavis Raptors made it to the A finals, but were bested by a tough squad from Wetaskawin.
“It went very well. We made it to the A finals, but lost a close game,” said Tony Pliva, head coach of the Yavis Raptors. “They are in a different association than we are. It’s sometimes difficult to get teams of the same caliber and they were a little better.”
The Yavis Raptors opened the tournament with a big win, but lost their second game. They then battled back to make it to the finals.
For the Yavis Raptors the weekend was a chance to bond.
“It was a really good team bonding weekend. The kids played five games under 36 hours and spent a lot of time together. They really came together. It was the best thing that could happen,” said Pliva.
The tournament was created in memory of Chris and his son John Charmont who were killed in an explosion at a resort hotel in Mexico in November 2010. Chris helped coach and manage minor hockey teams and John was an atom player when he passed away.
Many of those who participated in the tournament knew Chris and John.
“My son for one was in John’s class when the accident happened. We played hockey with him, I worked with Chris as an assistant coach when he was a manager,” said Pliva. “A lot of the kids were the same age as John.”
Richard remembers coaching with the two.
“I knew John and Chris quite well. I coached with Chris for a number of years and I coached John in hockey and lacrosse. This tournament touches me in a different way than maybe other people. I knew the kind of kid John was and why he played, so I wanted the kids to put in the effort John would. He was always smiling, but every shift he would give it his all,” said Richard. “I want the kids to have the same attitude when they go to the rink.”
Connor Wright (left) celebrates after scoring at goal for the Yavis atom Raptors at the Charmont Memorial Tournament this past weekend. The team earned a spot in the A pool finals, but were defeated by a team from Wetaskawin. The Encana atom team won 5-4 over Okotoks in the B finals. The tournament was created in memory of Chris Charmont and his son, John, who passed away in an explosion at a resort hotel in Mexico in November 2010.
