The Terrace sportsplex is buzzing with excitement this afternoon, as games get underway for the first-ever Cliff Sharples memorial hockey tournament.
Former NHL player and son of Cliff Sharples, Jeff Sharples, dropped the puck in the opening ceremony at 3:30 this afternoon.
Eight teams from across the north have travelled to Terrace, with the farthest teams hailing from Ft. St. John and Quesnel.
“I think it is amazing the amount of work that has been put into this,” Sharples said, praising the work of organizers Rory Reinbolt, Kevin Kennedy and the Terrace Minor Hockey Association.
The tournament is named after longtime TMHA president and coach Cliff Sharples in recognition of his contributions to local hockey.
Sharples said that his father would have been absolutely thrilled with what is going on in Terrace this weekend.
Former Terrace hockey player and current head goalie coach for the Winnipeg Jets Wade Flaherty also contributed to the event – sending in a signed Winnipeg Jets jersey to be auctioned off.
Games continue on until Sunday, with a banquet for teams and families to be held at the Terrace sportsplex tonight.
Reinbolt said the tournament is coming together very well.
