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Remember a friend at the Bryce Thompson tournament

Since the loss of Bryce in January of 2014, the Thompson family has never lacked for support from their community of Naicam. Especially when it comes to the Bryce Thompson Memorial Hockey Tournament.
Becky Zimmer
Bryce Thompson Tournament
The Romanians took the top spot during the fourth annual Bryce Thompson Memorial Tournament in Naicam on Feb. 17 after beating defending champs, the Annaheim Knights. The tournament has been held yearly since Bryce’s death in 2014 with the Romanians made up of his close friends. Pictured (L to R): Back Row: Ashley Kasko, Callum Bradley, Tristan Mills, Nick Hawrishok, Tyler Olson, Justin Nienaber, Curtis Holt,Chelsey Zwarych , Logan Woloshyn. Front Row: Logan Kreutzwieser, Tevin Hayward, Colby Martin, Noreen Thompson, Jordan Anholt, Kegan Sunderland photo courtesy of Donna Albertson

Since the loss of Bryce in January of 2014, the Thompson family has never lacked for support from their community of Naicam.

Especially when it comes to the Bryce Thompson Memorial Hockey Tournament.

The fourth annual event took place at the Naicam Sportsplex on Feb. 17 and Bryce’s mom, Noreen, says it keeps getting bigger every year.

“We’re seeing that the curling rink and the skating rink are melding more on the weekend,” says Noreen, with the farmers bonspiel going on the same weekend as the tournament. Support for the raffle have also increased over the years with more support coming by way of prizes.

Having the tournament on the Family Day long weekend ensures that Bryce’s friends, many of whom are in university, can be home for the tournament. As well the weekend is also close to Bryce’s birthday, Feb. 20.

Six teams competed four on four to honour Bryce, who was killed when he was struck by a car as he was walking along the highway by Muenster.

His love of hockey was something that his friends remember of Bryce, including his favourite yellow Romania jersey that he wore and was often teased about, says Noreen.

Friends of Bryce even made that their team jersey for the tournament, says Noreen, calling themselves the Romanians.

The Romanians won top honours during the tournament by beating defending champs, the Annaheim Knights in overtime during the final game.

Noreen says that she had some wonderful help over the weekend organizing the tournament, including Mackenzie Wilson-Anderson, Dairien Wright, and Tristan Mills.

In lieu of flowers when Bryce died, the family asked that donations be made to the Bryce Thompson

Memorial Scholarship through Naicam School.

Funds raised from the tournament normally go to the scholarship but Noreen says that they are doing so well in funds for the scholarship that they will be donating this year’s funds raised to the Naicam Fire Department who is in need of monetary support.

Whether through the scholarship or donation to the community, the money is going to help members of the community, says Courtney Thompson, Bryce’s sister.