CBCSports.ca Blogs & Columns: by Kevin Weekes

In the spirit of celebrating the 10th Hockey Day In Canada hosted by Stratford, I 'd like to share some of my experiences in the small towns all across Canada which serve as the lifeblood of  the great game of hockey.

Please don't be offended if your town and or city isn't mentioned below. It's because of time constraints.

Kitchener - playing in the Oktoberfest Tournament and winning Bauer 100's for being tournament champs, loved playing in the Memorial Auditorium too - it was a mini Maple Leaf Gardens.

London - Our chief rival outside of GTA,great battles and the home of Vaughn Custom Sports goalie equipment, which I  wore as a youngster and most time as a pro. Great hockey history in this small city.

Brantford - Loved the Gretzky Tournament and getting trophy and handshake from Mister ( Walter ) Gretzky,doesn't get cooler than that !

Brampton - Wow, had an bathroom emergency at Terry Miller Sportsplex, LOL !!! Thumbs down to Brampton Maroon uniforms.

Sarnia - My billet family for Silver Stick Tournament had backyard rink of dreams,complete with boards and lights ! Can't believe we won the Silver Stick there,we played the tournament + the backyard rink tournament too.

Sudbury - The Big Nickel was one of the best tournaments,we trick or treated there 3 times,Deluxe Burger was the Spot !! Loved playing the championship game at the Wolves' rink. Our Capt. Mike Peca almost cried when his dad wouldn't let him have chicken fingers & fries at the Husky Truck Stop on the way home-hahahahahaha !!! Ironically, he was the Wolves' 1st round pick 4 years later.

North Bay - Was sick as dog but powered through and outshot 51-28 in Mc Donald's tournament and won a set of Vaughn goalie gloves for MVP,still have them as a keepsake.

Timmins - Pee Wee All Ontario Championship there,our first televised game against Larry Courville of Timmins A&W Benjamin Bears, he had a commercial and a moustache-can you imagine?? Tried curling, can't believe how hard it was.

Sault Ste Marie - The greyhounds were too good, I knew Steve Sullivan was the man ! Great crowds, $5 per diem while playing tin the OHL,we pooled together to buy pizza.

Barrie - First time my dad heard me swear,I was all of 8 years old,he still tells the story to this day.

Gravenhurst - Worked Craig Billington's Goalie School in the summer,helped me buy my 1st car - a 1985 Honda Civic 4 door for $1600. 

What a beautiful place in the summer !

Ottawa - Coldest place I've been to in Ontario,great city though ! Todd White (Atlanta Thrashers) was really good with Kanata Valley Lasers,honor to play in the Nepean Sportsplex,finished my junior career with the 67's and the legendary Brian Kilrea.

Quebec City - We signed autographs as 13 year olds when we pulled up to the Quebec Colisee for 'The' Quebec Pee-Wee Tournament, played in front of over 15 000 people,this is hands down the best tournament in the world-what an experience ! Felt like the NHL. As fate would have it,I was back for the NHL Draft in 1993,what a thrill.

Kamloops - First time out west and went to a Blazers game, Niedermayer,Sydor,Hirsch,Chysowski  and Coach Hitchcock,pretty good huh ? Never knew Dairy Queen served hamburgers,we were there almost everyday but still one the tournament. Really sweet to fly as a team as well.

Calgary-Playing  in the Saddledome for the Mac's Midget Tournament felt like we'd made it ! So many volunteers and very well organized. 

My dad even bought a cowboy hat,thought he was Charlie Pride-LOL !!

This Saturday is Hockey Day In Canada being hosted in Stratford, I hope you all tune in.

From my experience and I hope you can all agree,everyday is hockey day in Canada,wherever you may be.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by cbcsports.ca

Kevin.