GLACE BAY, N.S. - 

The ice may be gone, but the Miners Forum in Glace Bay, N.S. was filled with activity over the weekend.

Many players were wearing sweaters displaying the familiar Humboldt Broncos name and logo.

“It was very sad to hear about the tragedy and to have Glace Bay Minor Hockey support another major hockey organization is amazing,” said parent and volunteer Tara Howie

It's been two years since Glace Bay Minor Hockey has been able to hold its annual ‘Hockey for Humboldt’ tournament because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ball was first dropped in 2018, shortly after the collision that claimed the lives of sixteen members of the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team and staff.

They were on their way to a game, when the bus they were travelling in collided with an 18-wheeler.

“It's just something we want to keep moving and hopefully get a little bigger each year. We have close to 200 kids and we have 25 to 35 volunteers here. It's just a great cause,” said volunteer Darin White.

The funds raised from the event will be sent to the Humboldt Minor Hockey Association, which will be turned into a scholarship for a graduating player.

“We committed as soon as the accident happened that we were going to do something on an annual basis to keep that tragedy forefront in the hockey community,” said Glace Bay Minor Hockey President James Edwards

A banner has also been signed in the past and sent to Humboldt, Saskatchewan.

The relationship runs deep between the two associations, former miner Bill O'Brien played his junior career with the Broncos.

“The last time we were able to have the tournament, Bill delivered the cheque from Glace Bay Minor Hockey in person and brought back some Humboldt jerseys and hats from the minor hockey association out there, so we have a nice relationships with the Humboldt community and we're very proud of that,” said Edwards

It’s a show of solidarity from a community that might be thousands of miles away, but remains close at heart.

WATCH HERE: https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/hundreds-of-cape-breton-youth-participate-in-hockey-for-humboldt-tournament-1.5885226

Three Nova Scotians have been selected to officiate the 2022 Telus Cup in Alberta, an event that was originally scheduled to be hosted at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre in Membertou, N.S.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hockey Canada says the location was changed in order to hold the event in a centralized spot for the safety of all participants.

"When I first found out it was moved to Calgary I was really disappointed, because you're kind of working towards that all year, and I didn't expect they'd be sending any Nova Scotia officials to Calgary," says hockey official Chad O'Neill.

O'Neill has been a hockey official for seven years and says his disappointment quickly turned to excitement when he found out he would be heading west to join the crew.

"It was unfortunate, I couldn't tell anyone because it wasn't official yet and I kind of had to wait," says O'Neill.

Drake Robinson, from Halifax, has also been selected to officiate the tournament.

"I was definitely really excited, but then the excitement lasts a little bit and then the focus comes in. It's just like the players going to the tournament and teams competing. Everyone wants to be working that game on Sunday and that's what I want to do when I get there," says Robinson. .

Glace Bay Minor Hockey’s referee-in-chief, Bobby O'Handley, says the job is not always easy.

"It is difficult. It is a challenging time. It's difficult on the young officials who are out there on the ice, in a sense of what they can be subject too. So we are doing everything to stop that trend and help them stick at it," says O'Handley.

O'Neill says his initial interest in officiating came from the desire to earn some extra money, but now has a love for the job and passion for the game.

"My hardest times were probably in Atom and PeeWee house with the coaches. They were insane and the parents were even crazier when you're younger. You just have to stick it out and it gets easier the higher you go up," says O'Neill.

The goal for these officials is to make it into the championship round. No matter the outcome, they say it's an opportunity of a lifetime.

The Glace Bay U15AA Miners defeated the Halifax Hawkes 5-4 in the Championship game of the Nova Scotia Provincial Tournament in Port Hood on Sunday. 

Earlier in the day the Miners secured their spot in the final with a 3-2 win over TASA. 

Congratulations to the players and coaches on a job well done!!  

The Glace Bay U15AA Miners will play for the Nova Scotia Provincial Title this afternoon at 2pm in Port Hood. 

The Miners secured their berth in the final with a 3-2 win over TASA in the morning cross-over. 

You can watch the game Live on Facebook by searching U15AA Provincial Championship 2021-2022. 

GO MINERS GO!!

Congrats Glace Bay U13AAA with a 4-2 win over the Bulldogs!! 

Series tied 1-1, both teams are back in action st 10am at the Miners Forum!