Grown-ups can play hockey too.
This weekend at Cloquet's Northwoods Credit Union Arena, a total of 12 adult men's hockey teams will face off in a round-robin tournament organized by Joe Broneak, who also organizes the adult league in Carlton.
This weekend's tournament is named after Tim Couture, a Cloquet man and friend who died in a motorcycle accident last October when he collided with a deer.
Games begin at noon Friday at Northwoods and move to the Pine Valley arena when the high school team comes in to practice. The tournament - which features teams from the Iron Range, Hermantown, Duluth and Carlton County - continues Saturday. Participants are planning to attend the Minnesota Wilderness games in the evening both Friday and Saturday and tournament trophies will be presented Saturday night.
Player ages range from 21 to several men who are in their 50s.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We figure if we can get anybody to come watch a bunch of out-of-shape hockey players, we can't charge them," Broneak said. "But we're hoping we can get more people out [by holding the tournament in Cloquet]."
If the idea of watching older men play hockey leaves you cold, Broneak encourages folks to come anyway and check out the silent auction and raffle prizes up for grabs. These include signed USA and NHL hockey gear, paintings by local artists, a two-night stay with golfing at Big Sandy and more.
"When it's all over, we plan to write a check to [Cloquet Area Hockey Association] in Tim's name," Broneak said, adding that organizers will also present a sportsmanship award to the team that best exemplifies good sportsmanship and good fun, both things Tim Couture appreciated when he was alive.
A number of area businesses and individuals donated to the tournament, auction and raffle.
For more information, contact Joe Broneak at 218-591-1052.
