The Junior Bombers 1 and Holy Name face off during the five-day Kevin Major Memorial Tournament held last August at Amelia Park Ice Arena. (File photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – In the middle of a Westfield summer, the action at the Amelia Park rink will be heating up in honor of one of Westfield’s own.
For the next two weekends, 26 hockey teams will descend on Westfield’s premier hockey arena to play in the 4th Annual Kevin J. Major Memorial Hockey Tournament. All teams will play a minimum of three games in honor of the Westfield native who died of the heart condition hypotrophic cardiomyopathy in 2011.
“This tournament has evolved into our biggest event and we are proud that Amelia Park is its home,” said Carole Appleton, executive director of Amelia Park Ice Arena. “Kevin grew up at our rink and we look forward to continuing his legacy about hockey and friendships.”
St. Mary’s coach Mike Goodreau accepts a defibrillator donated by the Kevin Major Youth Sports Foundation in 2012. Susan Canning, mother of the late Kevin Major, center, presented the defibrillator along with Shannon Small, far left. (File photo by Chris Putz)
The event will benefit both the Kevin J. Major Youth Sports Foundation and the KEVS Foundation. The youth sports foundation provides financial aid to students 19-years old and younger to motivate, encourage and educate to take part in structured youth programs, while KEVS provides free heart screenings for youths, CPR training, and donates AEDs throughout the community. Earlier this summer, KEVS hosted an educational seminar to several area schools in honor of Kevin’s memory.
After the 26 teams square off in preliminary play, the top four teams will face off in a playoff, with the championship final played on the final Sunday of the tournament. Area junior and college players will participate in three divisions: Old Boys, Social and Pro. The Kev Cup championship trophy will be on the line for all 26 squads.
For more information, contact Appleton at 413-568-2503.
