Nick Sibilia of Westfield attempts a shot during the 4th annual Kevin J. Major Tournament held at Amelia Park on Sunday. The games will continue from August 8-10. (Photo by Liam Sheehan)
WESTFIELD – The first weekend of the 4th Annual Kevin J. Major Memorial Hockey Tournament has come to a successful conclusion, but with another full weekend starting Friday, the tournament promises to be packed with more entertainment, both on and off the ice.
The 26 participating teams have partly encountered their round-robin play over this past weekend and will finish out tournament play starting Friday afternoon. Early on, Teddy Bear Pools headed the Old Boys Division, while Tommy Car Auto sits atop the 14-team Social Division. The Springfield Pics and Five College Movers hold a dual lead in the Pro Division.
Connor Sullivan completes a pass at the 4th annual Kevin J. Major tournament on Sunday. The games will continue August 8-10 at Amelia Park. (Photo by Liam Sheehan)
Hockey will take center stage from 4 p.m. through the final championship game Sunday at 7 p.m., but the lobby of Amelia Park Rink will host a plethora of other activities for the fans in honor of Kevin Major, a Westfield teen who died of the heart condition Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in 2011.
Before the official opening ceremony Saturday at 12 p.m., raffles and a silent auction will be open throughout the weekend. With tickets ranging from one for $1 to six for $5 to 25 for $20, ticketholders will have the chance to win prizes ranging from tickets to the Big E and Six Flags to Oil Changes to gift certificates to several area restaurants.
Bidders will also be able to participate in a silent auction, where the prizes have been generously donated by people and businesses throughout the Pioneer Valley. Bids will be open until Sunday at 12 p.m. and the prizes span everything from a Boston Celtics jersey to a New Orleans Saints Golf Bag to a stay in a St. Pete Beach, Fla., condo.
Finally, Noble Hospital staff will also be present to provide guidance in the proper techniques of hands-only CPR and using an AED. Local sporting celebrities are also taking part in this event. The 14-year-old Champion Babe Ruth All-Stars, who will be traveling to Ocala, Fla., in a few weeks for their World Series, will be partaking in a challenge and a chance to raise money to offset the costs of their trip.
For every team member, family or friend of a member participates in the event, the Kevin J. Major Youth Sports Foundation will donate $1 to help offset their costs. In order to support the 14-year-old All-Stars, and to check out the action inside the rink, be sure to head to Amelia Park this weekend. For more information, go to the tournament website.
