Friendship through hockey

Friendship hockey exchange returns after a two-year absence

An event that has become a staple of two communities in Prince Edward Island and Quebec returns this weekend.

The first half of the Eric Jessome Memorial Kensington, P.E.I.-Bedford, Que., Under-13 Hockey Exchange takes place this weekend in the Kensington area. This marks the first time the exchange, which is known as one of the longest-running hockey exchanges in the world, has been held since the 52nd annual event took place in 2020. The 2021 and ‘22 events did not go ahead because of COVID-19.

“Each year it was planned, but the tournament itself didn’t happen,” said Kim Caseley, co-chair of the Kensington parents committee this year. “The community has really gotten behind it and is excited to have it back, which we’ve seen through our fundraising efforts.”

Dave Verville, who coaches the 2023 Bedford team, said the exchange means a lot to the Quebec community and is excited for its return.

“It was disappointing to not see it go for two years,” said Verville, who is also a member of the Bedford organizing committee. “We were very disappointed last year when it got cancelled at the last minute.

“We have a bunch of kids

whose hearts were broken because they missed their opportunities

to go.” However, because the exchange

focuses on participation and friendships as players are billeted with each other, a decision was made to give both U15 and U13 players from Kensington and Bedford the opportunity to participate this weekend after missing out on the exchange during COVID-19.

“It’s a way of making it up to them for their bad timing with the pandemic,” said Verville.

SPECIAL EVENT

There are 17 players from Bedford, including six U15 players, and 32 from Kensington taking part — 16 on this year’s exchange team and 16 on a combined U13/U15 team of players who missed out on experiencing the exchange the last two years and will play two games.

The Bedford contingent arrived in Kensington on Thursday night.

“Anybody from Kensington, as soon as you say, ‘Bedford weekend,’ they are all very familiar with what that entails,” said Caseley. “We have billets that have families that billeted (together when they played) and now they’re coming back with their own kids.”

Verville, who served as an assistant coach with Bedford for several years before taking over as head coach, said it is the culture and people of P.E.I. that make the exchange so special for Bedford participants.

“The first time I showed up on P.E.I., you were welcomed with open arms, smiles and treated like you are part of the family,” said Verville. “I’m not sure how they feel when they come to the Bedford area, but I know how we feel when we go down there.

“It’s a totally different feeling when you show up on the Island. It’s the buzz of the town, everybody is talking to you as if they have known you their whole life.”