Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador announced today that they will be celebrating Grant Thornton Minor Hockey Week in the province from January 11-18, 2014.

The week-long event will kick-off in Stephenville on Saturday, January 11, 2014.  The Stephenville Minor Hockey Association was selected by Hockey NL to host the kick-off festivities.  The west coast minor hockey association, who hosted CBC Hockey Day in Canada in 2006, is eager to showcase minor hockey this coming Saturday.
Focus on the Journey, Not the Destination ……is the slogan of the 2014 Minor Hockey Week in the province.
Arnold Kelly, of Goose Bay, is the Chair of Minor Hockey for the provincial hockey governing body and he will be in Stephenville on Saturday to make the official proclamation.

“This year’s slogan was created to remind young players that our game at the grassroots level is really primarily about having fun.  In order to accomplish this you must enjoy your time coming and going from the arena. We lose too many young hockey players from our sport when it becomes more than just a game”, said Kelly.  “We would also like to congratulate and thank the Stephenville Minor Hockey Association for their tremendous commitment to this year’s kick off”.

The Host Association will be presenting an Atom Tournament over the weekend.   It will be a sure fun-filled event on Saturday with an official opening ceremony of minor hockey week taking place noon at the Stephenville Dome.   Another interesting event on Saturday, is that Kelly, will be shaving his head in aid of Young Adult Cancer Canada shave for the brave campaign.  Anyone wishing to support his cause can visit http://yacc.convio.net/site/TR/ShavefortheBrave/General?px=1100961&pg=personal&fr_id=2350 to make a donation.

The President of the provincial association Jack Lee, of Goulds, really encourages his membership to set aside this week to celebrate the game.  “Minor Hockey Week has been a mainstay here in our province and has continued long after the national body discontinued the celebration.  We have so many players, coaches, officials and parents participating in fun events during this week of celebration and we want our members to realize and recognize the contribution made by so many volunteers in our province who make the greatest game in the world possible for so many young boys and girls”, remarked Lee. Lee also acknowledged the positive partnership they have with Grant Thornton and how these type of partnerships assist with the delivery of programs in the province.

Grant Thornton is the title sponsor for Minor Hockey Week in the province and they are quite excited about this new partnership.  “Grant Thornton is delighted to partner with Hockey NL on a program as important as Minor Hockey Week,” says Steve Power, Managing Partner, Newfoundland and Labrador. “As a national accounting firm we have offices throughout the province so it’s gratifying for us to support a tradition that brings our families and communities together”.

Stephenville Minor Hockey Association will donate all proceeds made off the 50/50 draw and chuck-a-puck events to Canadian Cancer Society. The association is very proud and honoured to be hosting such a great event. Stefan Young is the local association president and said “many people’s lives would be empty if it was not for the game of hockey. The game is so much more than ten people chasing a puck around. It provides life lessons in team-work, dedication, hard work and most importantly, it provides everyone with the chance to have fun”!

About

Hockey Newfoundland & Labrador is the governing body of amateur hockey in the province; promoting, supervising and regulating competition in all recognized categories. The association currently has 45 minor hockey associations and over 12,000 registered players, coaches, managers and officials.

Grant Thornton LLP is a leading Canadian accounting and advisory firm providing audit, tax and advisory services to private and public organizations. Together with the Quebec firm Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP, Grant Thornton in Canada has approximately 4,000 people in offices across Canada. Grant Thornton LLP is a Canadian member of Grant Thornton International Ltd, whose member firms operate in close to 100 countries worldwide. Across Newfoundland and Labrador, Grant Thornton has six offices and a team of more than 100 partners and staff who understand the issues affecting our economy and communities.

A complete schedule for the atom tournament and other events happening during minor hockey week is attached, Tournament Schedule & Event List.

For more information please contact

Craig Tulk
Executive Director
Hockey NL
P.O. Box 176
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
A2A 2J4
(709) 489-5512 (O)
(709) 486-0442 (C)
(709) 489-2273 (F)
[email protected]
www.hockeynl.ca