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The inaugural Tim Werner Memorial hockey tournament was held on Feb. 24 and 25 at the Springside Community Center, hosted by the Springside Stoney Coulee Blackhawks.  

Six teams entered in the tournament and action began Friday evening with three games played.  Saturday saw another day full of games.

Throughout the weekend, various means were used to help raise funds, some of which were a 50/50 draw, an overwhelming raffle table, silent auction, a licensed beverage area, canteen services and more.

The business and personal sponsorship was amazing with many donating items and some giving cash to help with events.  The amount of local community support through donations and attendance at the event was astonishing. Many Blackhawks members and their spouses stepped up to the plate to make everything happen.

The tournament came to a close on Saturday evening with the A-final seeing the Springside Stoney Coulee Blackhawks and Yorkton Millers hockey teams face off.   Many Springside area residents play on both teams.

This game saw young seven-year-old Trayton Werner (son of Tim Werner) suit up with the Blackhawks to play a game in front of bleachers full of fans.  

It was an emotional game that remained close in score, and with two minutes remaining Trayton was able to finish his hat trick with the go ahead, and what turned out to be the game winning goal. It was a true gentlemen’s game that everyone could appreciate. The end saw even the most masculine of men unable to speak, and barely look each other in the eye.  

There could not have been a more fitting ending to the inaugural Tim Werner Memorial. After all was said and done, the team was able to present Tracey, Taylor and Trayton Werner with a very respectable cheque to help with the hardships they are facing.  All the support we saw shows how loved Tim was in his short life. Organizers would like to send a big thank you to those involved.