IRC Hockey Tournament Brings Region Closer

Roy made a tribute to Bobby Gruben at the end of the games. “Ever since I could remember, Bobby was at the games every year, it didn’t matter who was playing. He was the biggest fan, and he had good things to say about everybody. He was always there to help us; he never turned down any request we made.”

“We made a tribute to Bobby because he was such a big part of the hockey game, and a genuine good guy who loved everybody. It’s hard not to see Bobby Gruben sit there on the benches,” he said. Bobby’s niece Erica Lugt, said the tribute, “warmed her heart.”

For most fans, seeing friends and family from different communities was a highlight. Onida Banksland said, “My favourite game was the finals. There were so many people and it was so exciting. You can see people from different communities interacting with each other and it’s always fun.”

Roy sums up the spirit of the IRC hockey tournament, “I saw hockey players from different teams outside the rec. center after, talking about the game, and that’s what I like to see: the camaderie. It’s over, you wait for next year.”