It’s been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest hockey tournament in the world. This year, 262 teams will play almost 600 games.
It has hosted minor hockey teams from across Canada, the U.S., and around the globe. This year, a team from Finland wins the honour for travelling the farthest.
Its alumni include many players who have gone on to NHL stardom. John Tavares, for example.
After 17 years, you’d think the Bell Capital Cup had done it all.
But this year, a first.
The tournament for 9 to 13-year-olds now has adult players.
And not just any adults. For the first time, the massive tournament includes Special Hockey divisions for players with intellectual, and sometimes physical, challenges. And some of those teams are mixed with players, both male and female, of all ages.
The Grey Bruce Falcons are one such team. 7-year-old Anthony plays alongside 55-year-old Reg. Their division is less about winning and losing and more about playing the game they love. “It doesn’t matter what the score is,” explains teammate, 29-year-old Matthew Driscoll. “It’s just being out with your friends and supporting each other and having fun.”
“They had the Special Hockey International Tournament here in March,” says Bell Capital Cup General Manager Scott Lawryk. “We kind of got together and decided it was a great idea and a great opportunity to give the local special teams an annual tournament to look forward to.”
“I love it,” says Joel Wilson, father of two players on the Falcons. “I think it means a lot for them.”
The Bell Capital Cup runs Dec. 29th to Jan. 2nd at the Sensplex, the Canadian Tire Centre, and arenas around the City of Ottawa.
