Nicoll-Mitchell Cup played online

The camaraderie was so thick you could cut it with a knife at the 23rd annual Old Boys’ Hockey Tournament—the quest for the Holy Grail known as the Nicoll-Mitchell Cup—which was held virtually for the first time in Selwyn House history, on December 18.

The Pre-Game Show began with a VIP and celebrity showcase of videos featuring: Headmaster Michael Downey, Athletic Director Michael Maurovich, Director of Hockey Development Chris LaPerle, Angelo Esposito 2006 of Hockey Etcetera, Canadiens defenceman #8 Ben Chiarot, San Diego Gulls Assistant Coach Dave Urquhart, and retired NHLer Torrey Mitchell 2002, co-owner of ELEV802.

Then it was time for the game itself–played out on PlayStation rather than on ice, using the video game NHL20. Bragging rights for winning the cup went to current Grade 11 students Noah Freedin and Thomas Plamondon, whose video-game skills were obviously sharper than their older competitors.

But the pleasure of the evening belonged to the Old Boys, who enjoyed getting together over Zoom for a postgame “Hot Stove” session at the SHS “Sports Centre” with special guests retired Montreal Canadien Torrey Mitchell 2002 and Dale Weise, Torrey’s former teammate on the Habs’ bench. Listening to these two stars talk about

Torrey Mitchell 2002 Zooming from his home in Vermont

the personal side of professional hockey was a rare treat for the Old Boys.

The introductory video also included a priceless clip from the tournament’s namesakes, former Selwyn House hockey coaches Tom Nicoll and Steve Mitchell, who reflected on their long careers behind the bench and regaled viewers with anecdotes about victories snatched from the jaws of defeat.

The video also included an interview with Louise St-Jacques, mother of Old Boy E.J. Boffey 2012, whose job it is to stamp the winners’ names on the Stanley Cup each year.

Though it may have lacked the physical punch of a real game, the 23rd NicollMitchell Cup was definitely one for the books.

Thanks to Old Boys Sean Tepper 2008, E.J. Boffey 2012, Evren Boisjoli 2008 and OBA President Josh Wisenthal ’99 for their work behind the scenes on this first-ever virtual event. The OBA looks forward to offering more events for SHS alumni in 2021, so stay tuned.

Colin No Classic 2021 continued

The day after the tournament, Toby No ’97 wrote to thank the Selwyn House Advancement Department for organizing the event in honour of his brother. “It was a lot of fun for me,” Toby wrote. “I was pleasantly surprised at how well a Zoom call can replace being physically present at an event.”

Those attending were: Class of 1997: Kevin Boyle, James Brooks, Lourenço Bustani, Christopher Eich, Ziad Kaedbey, Ian Marquis, Richard Martz, Bradley Massi, Ajay Narasimhadevara, Tomek Nishijima, Toby No, Kevin Wang, Nicholas Yanow; Class of 1999: Joel Anthony, Joshua Wisenthal; Class of 2000: Vidal Sadaka; Class of 2004: Jonathan Merritt (Staff); Class of 2005: Brendan Munzar (Staff); Class of 2006: Mark Sadaka, Dino Zammit; Class of 2009: Michael Cohen, John Lamont, Oliver Maurovich (Staff); Class of 2012: David Smith; Class of 2013: George Loutochin; Class of 2020: Enoch Tamale; Class of 2021: Daniel Bergevin; Alumni Parents: Alexander Zammit; Former Staff: Colin Boyle, Alfie Paoletti; Staff: Matthew Addona, Neil Banerjee, Martin Boyle, Mary Ann Cloherty, Sharon Cozens, Michael Downey, Julia Fekete, Peter Govan, Sebastien Lajoie, Michael Maurovich, Jean-Pierre Trudeau, and Richard Wills.