Hockey Day in Collingwood returns to the local rinks next week as public and high school students face off for their schools.
On Jan. 15, both Collingwood rinks will host teams from 12 local schools for the 10th annual event.
The Collingwood Collegiate Institute hockey class has been planning and organizing the annual Hockey Day in Collingwood, which involves more than 200 students from 12 local schools playing a full-day tournament on the two ice pads in town.
The program is led by CCI teacher Todd Hammond, who aims to give the students experience in leadership. Part of Hockey Day includes practices offered to each of the participating elementary schools led by CCI hockey students.
On Jan. 15, the students will be responsible for running the tournament, from admission to scoreboards, and some are now certified as officials for games. It will serve as their summary task for the course, and will contribute to their mark.
The 12-team co-ed tournament runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Central Park and Eddie Bush Arena, and includes teams from Admiral, Birchview, Cameron St., Mountainview, New Lowell, Nottawa, Nottawasaga-Creemore, St. Mary's, St. Noel, Stayner, Wasaga Beach Public and Worsley schools.
In the evening there will be two high school varsity games of CCI versus Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High School. The girls play first at 6 p.m. and the boys play at 7:30 p.m.
The Georgian Bay Lightning U9 team will play a scrimmage at intermission of the girls' game, and there will be a chuck-a-puck fundraiser during the boys' game with proceeds to the high school lunch program.
This is the eleventh anniversary of Hockey Day in Collingwood, but the 10th event since one was skipped during the COVID pandemic.
The whole day is open to the public and spectators are appreciated. Admission is free, but donations will be passed on to the high school lunch program.
