By Susan Gamble
More than a dozen rinks were set up at the Steve Brown Sports Complex at Lions Park over the weekend for the Walter Gretzky Street Hockey Tournament, which attracted an estimated 1,700 players and an untold number of spectators.
“We’re trying to knock lung disease into the boards,” said Sandy Lee, manager of community giving for the area Lung Association, which receives the proceeds from the tourney.
Lee said this year’s event attracted 135 teams came from all over Ontario, Quebec and U.S. cities in New York, New Jersey and Illinois.
Back in 2010, the tournament attracted 205 teams and 2,096 players and set a Guinness World Record for the largest street hockey tournament. They topped that mark the following year with 235 teams. The Brantford record was eclipsed in 2013.
“We’re actually trying to rebuild the event,” said Lee. “We had 125 teams last year.”
Part of the draw in 2010 was Hollywood film director and actor Kevin Smith, who brought along his friends to play.
“We’re missing that Kevin guy from the U.S.,” said Gretzky as he looked around at his namesake tourney.
“It’s hard to believe all the volunteers here making it work.”
Gretzky dropped the ceremonial ball Saturday to officially kick off the event, which had the park overflowing with tents, food vendors and 14 permanent and temporary rinks to accommodate the play.
“Brantford is a hockey town,” said Brantford -Brant MPP Will Bouma, who attended the event.
“Whether it’s ice hockey or street hockey, we love hockey and this event has now raised thousands of dollars over the years for the Lung Association, which is just stupendous.”
SGamble@postmedia.com
@EXPSGamble
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