Seafair and Richmond Minor were well-represented in the 36th annual Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association (PCAHA) Midget Scholarship Tournament, held Jan 13-19.
The event showcases graduating midget age talent from throughout the PCAHA. Players are nominated, based on academic and sportsmanship criteria, and attend tryouts to be selected to one of four regional teams, which then compete for the Fred "Cyclone" Taylor Memorial Cup.
The tournament was founded in 1978 by the late Bruce Allison of Richmond who made a huge contribution to the game at all levels, including terms as PCAHA and B.C. Amateur Hockey Association president.
He believed too many players were leaving their home associations to play at the junior level and wanted something to encourage them to stay and focus on their high school studies.
The tournament was initially a three team format and expanded to four in 1985. Canada Dry was the original sponsor before the Vancouver Canucks Alumni Association came onboard in 2006.
Representing Richmond Minor were Hasret Sidhu and Ben Kiang, while Seafair's Tanoshi Mizushima also participated.
All three played for the Greater Vancouver Avalanche, which won a thrilling bronze medal game in overtime 6-5, after battling back from a two goal deficit.
?Mizushima was awarded the game MVP as he notched the first of the Avalanche goals.
Sidhu played on the Avalanche blueline and finished the tournament with a goal, while a Kiang added three goals and an assist.
Richmond Minor was also well-represented on the coaching front as A1 mentors Bayne Koen and George Diamantopoulos guided the Fraser Valley Oilers to the tournament championship.
