The City of Trail added another fun element to its 2016 Silver City Days festival and is on the lookout for teams to fill out its 3-on-3 Street Hockey challenge.
The City teamed up with Greater Trail Minor Hockey Association and recruited GTMHA coach and Junior Novice director Sean Rudnitski to organize the event.
“It’s called a ‘Homecoming Celebration,’” said Trail’s Deputy Director of Parks and Rec, Robert Baker. “I think that’s because everyone has these memories of what Silver City Days was for them growing up. And so 3-on-3 hockey was one of those things that use to occur, and we’re bringing it back and we reached out to Sean because we know he’s going to get the job done.”
Rudnitski is hoping to get 20 teams signed up for the May 7 event, with divisions fitted to reflect the minor hockey program. Teams can sign up for Jr. Novice, age 5-6, Sr. Novice, 7-8, Atom, 9-10, Pee Wee, 11-12, and Bantam, 13-14.
“We’ll see how much interest we can garner, and even at the age levels, we’ll see how much interest there is,” said Rudnitski. “I don’t really want to turn anyone away.”
Teams will be made up of a maximum of six players, (three players and one goalie with two spares) and will play 30-minute games.
As the first 3-on-3 tournament in many years, the organizer would like to see at least four teams in each division but is flexible when it comes to accommodating the number or make up of teams.
“We have to be,” said Rudnitski. “Again we’re going into it somewhat blind, not knowing how much and which age groups are going to be most interested.”
The City’s volunteer operations manager, Keith Smyth, has been instrumental in enhancing the Silver City Days celebration with a family focus and new social and sporting events.
In addition to the 3-on-3, the Fun Run will return as well as the bocce tournament at the Trail Curling Club, but this year’s SSD also includes a toonie swim at the Aquatic Centre, a KidZone in the Memorial Centre gym, a Pickle Ball tournament at the Field House, and an adult male/female soccer tournament hitting the pitches in Sunningdale and Haley Park.
“I think the biggest thing is that we are using the Memorial Centre as an anchor-point for the event,” said Baker. “So the food (sidewalk cafe) and entertainment that’s going to be happening inside the arena, including the KidZone, is being complimented by what we’re doing on the outside - the 3-on-3 hockey, we also have the Piper’s banquet, and the Spring Fling banquet that’s going on in the gym.
“So this building as an anchor point in the downtown is literally going to draw thousands of people.”
Silver City Days runs May 4-8 in downtown Trail. Go to trail.ca and follow the links to the 3-on-3 registration form or email sean.rudnitski@gmail.com.The deadline to sign up for the 3-on-3 hockey tournament is Apr. 4.