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Event to remember

Edd McNeill Memorial tournament features largest field in 25 years

JASON SIMMONDS SPORTS EDITOR Jason.simmonds @theguardian.pe.ca @JpsportsJason

SUMMERSIDE – The Edd McNeill Memorial hockey tournament is back in business and it’s bigger than ever.

After the event had to be cancelled the last two years due to COVID-19, the 25th edition of The Edd will take place at Credit Union Place in Summerside from Dec.

1 to 4. A record 16 under13 AAA teams from across Atlantic Canada are taking part.

“A good portion of the kids who play in it will say it’s the best tournament they were in just for the fact it is their tournament,” said Dave McNeill, Edd’s son, and a tournament organizer. “We try to make them feel like they are playing for a Memorial Cup or something like that. It’s a pretty classy affair.”

The tournament honours the memory of Edd McNeill, who was a staunch supporter of sports in Prince County as a parent, sponsor, coach, and organizer.

Dave and Dwayne McNeill, also a tournament organizer, have fond memories of their father supporting their sporting adventures over the years. Dave noted Edd, who operated the Days Corner Garage, always had time to practise and help his sons and daughters work on whatever sports they were playing at the time.

“He made us believe you didn’t have to be from a big town to be able to play competitive sports,” said Dave. “His goal was he wanted us to compete at the highest level we could, and he was willing to put in the time to haul us around.

“I don’t think he missed hardly anything for any of us. He was such an influence on our lives that we keep his memory alive (with this tournament). He wasn’t a great athlete but loved the sport…

“As far as he was concerned, if you had some

ability and a lot of heart and desire, you could pretty well do anything.”

PLAYED HOCKEY INTO HIS 70S

An example of Edd’s passion for sports, noted Dave, was he died at age 73 in May 1998, and played hockey up until November 1997.

“Anybody who played with him knew he gave it all he had, and he definitely didn’t play to lose,” said Dave. “I could compare him to (the late) Charlie MacDougall (of Bedeque).

“He loved sports, he loved us to be in sports if we could, and he didn’t want you to just go for the ride; he wanted you to work hard and when the game was over that was the end of it.”

Dwayne said Edd loved to watch kids play sports and one of the goals of organizers is to provide the participants with a memorable experience. That starts as soon as they arrive.

“When the kids come in for their first game, there will be a dressing room stall made up with the kids name on it, there will be a bunch of goodies for them, a skate mat, towels and other things,” said Dwayne.

The winning team is presented with the Edd Cup, a replica Stanley Cup made of wood. Each winning team member also receives championship rings.

One of the tournament’s highlights is the skills competition, which takes place Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

“It doesn’t matter how many teams there are, every kid on every team gets to participate in some part,” said Dave. “There are mostly five or six events, so it’s up to the coaches on every team to make sure every kid participates in at least one event… Everybody feels a part of it.”

Organizers also host a hospitality room and there is no doubt what the most popular item is for the players. Dwayne pointed out that over 2,000 grilled cheese sandwiches have been served at previous tournaments.

“Grilled cheese has been kind of the thing for The Edd,” said Dwayne with a chuckle.

PLAYER’S PERSPECTIVE

Summerside Western Capitals forward Connor Keough of Summerside has fond memories of playing in The Edd.

“It was my favourite tournament of the year every year,” said Keough, 19. “What’s really exciting, as a kid, is having all the prizes and stuff that they have around and all the awards they give out makes it a lot more fun and motivating.”

Keough also remembers how he felt having the opportunity to participate in the skills competition.

“As kids, none of us ever did anything like it,” said Keough. “It was cool and really well organized the way they put it on for everybody to at least do one thing and showcase themselves.”

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