It’s not quite back to school yet, but it was definitely back to the hockey rink for 54 kids from around the Okanagan-Similkameen last weekend.

At the end of the one day Back To School four on four hockey tournament, the Predators defeated the Cougars 4-2 in the final, becoming back-to-back champions. The tournament, for kids aged 11 and 12, was held at McLaren Arena on Aug. 19.

The tournament also acts as a fundraiser for a bursary that will go to a graduating hockey student and to help families in need with costs associated with hockey. The event raised $3,000, almost doubling the inaugural tournament’s total from last year. Last year they raised $1,700, splitting the money for a $1,000 bursary for graduating hockey players and $700 going to families in need with hockey costs. They again will split the money raised at the tournament this year.

“The tournament is very special as it represents all the kids and families that have crossed our paths through the years; PMHA, Nighthawks, Kelowna Heat and others,” said Andy Kilduff, co-organizer of the tournament with Minas Portalaki. “Minas and I have agreed with the Penticton Scholarship and Bursary Foundation to host this tourney for a minimum of three years, so expect to see another tournament in August 2019.”

Organizers thanked all the business sponsors for donating to the tournament — including the raffles and barbecue.

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