Published Nov 25, 20257 minute readDave, left, and Dwayne McNeill pose with the Edd McNeill Memorial hockey tournament all-star game championship trophy and other awards. This year marks the first time in the tournament’s 28-year history an all-star game will be held. The all-star game will honour the memory of Edd McNeill’s son-in-law John DesRoches and will be played at the Island Petroleum Energy Centre in Summerside, P.E.I., on Nov. 29 at 6:15 p.m. Dave and Dwayne, sons of Edd McNeill, are two of the tournament organizers. The tournament runs from Nov. 26 to 30. Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle contentOne thing that cannot be said about organizers of the Edd McNeill Memorial hockey tournament is that they are complacent.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentWhen the 28th edition of the U13 AAA tournament – simply known as “The Edd” – takes place at Credit Union Place in Summerside, P.E.I., from Nov. 26 to Nov. 30, a new event will debut.Article contentArticle contentA tournament all-star game, in memory of Edd’s son-in-law, John DesRoches, will be played at the Island Petroleum Energy Centre on Nov. 29 at 6:15 p.m.Article contentArticle content“We wanted to remember John,” said tournament organizer Dwayne McNeill, son of Edd. “He never played a lot of hockey or sports but was always around it with his kids (Jack and Charlie DesRoches) and loved it.Article content“We thought it is a good way to honour him and we wanted to introduce an all-star game anyway.”Article contentDwayne explained that the all-star game format will feature full team rosters, and every team will be represented by at least one player. Curran and Briggs and Captain Cooke’s Seafood have purchased all-star jerseys.Article content“As far as I am aware, (an all-star game is) something that does not happen in too many tournaments,” said Dave McNeill, a tournament organizer and another son of Edd McNeill. “It’s another little goal for the players to achieve that special feeling.”Article contentThe all-star game will take place right before a Maritime Junior Hockey League game between the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals and Amherst Ramblers at 8 p.m.Article contentArticle content Dwayne, left, and Dave McNeill display the jerseys for the first-ever all-star game to be held as part of the 28th edition of the Edd McNeill Memorial hockey tournament in Summerside, P.E.I. The all-star game will honour the memory of Edd McNeill’s son-in-law John DesRoches and will be played at the Island Petroleum Energy Centre Nov. 29 at 6:15 p.m. A total of 24 U13 AAA teams are competing in The Edd, which runs from Nov. 26 to Nov. 30. Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle contentThe Edd tournament all-star awards will be presented in a pre-game ceremony before the Caps’ game as well.Article content“Our hope is people going to the Caps’ game will be able to take advantage of being able to see a nice brand of younger hockey, and people who are attending that game will perhaps take advantage of staying and watch the Caps play,” said Dave.Article contentCompeting teamsArticle contentThe event, billed as Atlantic Canada’s premier U13 tournament, features 24 teams. All tournament games will be played at the Island Petroleum Energy Centre and the Gerard (Turk) Gallant Arena. The Fredericton Caps are the defending champions after winning the 2024 championship game in overtime.Article contentThe breakdown of teams includes seven from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and five each from P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador.Article content“We had six on a waiting list but all we could take to keep it all in one facility is 24,” said Dwayne.Article contentThe No. 1 focus of the organizers is on the participants, said Dave.Article content“Right from the beginning, the biggest goal was that (the players) feel special, and we cater to them,” said Dave. “Basically, we want them to feel like they are pros for the five days with the way everything is run.Article content“I think – and hope – they leave here having a great experience and it’s something they will remember a long time from now.”Article content Members of the winning team of the 28th edition of the Edd McNeill Memorial hockey tournament will receive championship rings. Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle contentThe teams are split into eight divisions of three teams. Following round-robin play, the first-place teams receive a bye while the remaining 16 teams begin a Round of 16 playoffs.Article contentThe winners of those games advance to a second Round of 16, which includes the first-place teams. From there, the winning teams keep advancing to the quarter-finals, semifinals (conference finals) and championship game on Nov. 30 at 3:15 p.m. The winning team will be presented with the Edd Cup – a replica wooden version of the Stanley Cup.Article contentArticle content“Realistically, to win it, you could end up having to play seven games,” said Dwyane.Article contentHot stoveArticle contentBut The Edd is about much more than hockey. A popular off-ice event added last year was a hot stove session, which is returning for its second year.Article contentThis year’s panelists, who will participate through Zoom, include former NHL team president, general manager, head coach and Sportsnet analyst Doug MacLean, who is from Summerside and was the inaugural coach of the Western Capitals; former NHLer and Stanley Cup-winning defenceman Adam McQuaid of Cornwall, P.E.I., and Minnesota Frost left-winger Abby Hustler, who is the first Prince Edward Islander to play in the PWHL.Article content“Grant Sonier helps me organize it and he thought of Adam McQuaid,” said Dwayne. “He knows Adam very well and he said he is such a good fella and would probably like to speak to kids, which he said he would love to.Article contentArticle content“We called Doug and he was always a family friend. He always liked my dad and lived in the western part of P.E.I. when he coached the Capitals and would stop in every day for gas and talk hockey.Article content“For Abby, I just reached out to her father (Paul Hustler) because she played in (The Edd) and with the PWHL being so popular and girls hockey growing so much, we thought it would be a nice tag on to it because she is an alumni of (The Edd). She was more than happy to do it.”Article contentTo accommodate more than 400 players, two hot stove sessions have been scheduled for Nov. 20 – one from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and a second one from 6 to 7 p.m. The hot stove Sessions take place at the Veterans’ Convention Centre.Article content Forbie Kennedy, right, speaks during a hot stove session at the 27th annual Edd McNeill Memorial hockey tournament in Summerside on Nov. 27. Kennedy was joined on the panel by Jim Kennedy, left, and Grant Sonier, centre. Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle content“We have a display of all the history of The Edd,” said Dwyane. “All the prizes and awards will be there, and any accolades players have received over the years, we try to have that there.”Article contentFor example, Dwayne pointed out Sonier’s Stanley Cup ring he won as a scout with the Tampa Bay Lightning was on display in 2024. There are also some videos shown from tournament alumni.Article content“We have quite a few alumni who have gone on to bigger and better things in the hockey world,” said Dwyane. “The kids do a question-and-answer (format) with the celebrities, and we try to explain the history of The Edd; how it came about, and then we see if there are any questions from that by the kids, so they know more about our event.”Article contentAnd what the participants will learn about the tournament’s namesake is Edd McNeill was a strong supporter of youth being involved in sports.Article content“When we were kids and he coached and sponsored us, if somebody didn’t have a drive, he always picked them up,” said Dwayne. “If they couldn’t afford it, he always paid for it.Article content“He always wanted all the kids to have a chance to be involved. He was a coach, sponsor, chauffeur and everything else.”Article contentArticle contentNo admission chargedArticle contentAnother unique feature of The Edd is there is no admission charged for any of the tournament events. Dave said this is a feature his father would love and endorse.Article content“There are a couple of things Dad hated,” said Dave. “He hated if you had to run from rink to rink for games …Article content“Grandparents or relatives like to drop in (for games), and he hated for somebody to be at the door (charging people to watch kids play). A lot of times at tournaments when my kids were playing, you could only buy a tournament pass or a day pass and in a lot of cases it turned people off.”Article contentArticle contentSkills competitionArticle contentOne of the most popular events of the Edd McNeill Memorial hockey tournament is the Source for Sports Summerside Edd skills competition.Article contentThe event, which includes every player competing in at least one event, is on Nov. 28 at 6:30 p.m.Article contentThe public is encouraged to take in the skills competition, which takes place at the Island Petroleum Energy Centre.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentTeamsArticle contentFollowing is a breakdown of the 24 teams in the 28th Edd McNeill Memorial hockey tournament:Article contentJack Day ConferenceArticle contentBob Division – Fredericton Caps, Pownal Red Devils, Summerside Capitals.Gus Division – Dartmouth Whalers, Sackville Flyers, Western Kings.Marjorie Division – Eastern Hitmen, Tri Pen Osprey, Western Warriors.Theodore Division – EDZA Lynx, North West Bulls, Truro Bearcats.Article contentJimmy Tim ConferenceArticle contentAgnes Division – Bedford Blues, Eastern Knights, Valley JetsLen Division – EDZA Raiders, Eastern Thunder, N.B. East AcesMary Division – Halifax Hawks, Mid-Isle Matrix, TASA DucksRome Division – Charlottetown Islanders, EDZA Beavers, Fredericton Canadiens.Article contentArticle contentScheduleArticle contentSchedule highlights for 28th Edd McNeill Memorial hockey tournament in Summerside, P.E.I.:Article content(All games at Credit Union Place)Article contentWednesday, Nov. 26Article contentFirst game begins at 9 a.m.Final game of the day is at 8:15 p.m.Article contentThursday, Nov. 27Article contentFirst game begins at 9 a.m.Final game of the day is scheduled for 4:45 p.m.Players have the opportunity to attend a Maritime Junior Hockey League game between Summerside Western Capitals and Truro Bearcats at 7:30 p.m.Article contentFriday, Nov. 28Article contentGame action begins at 9 a.m.Final game of the day goes at 4:45 p.m.The Source for Sports Summerside Edd skills competition takes place at 6:30 p.m.Article contentSaturday, Nov. 29Article contentPlayoff action begins with the first game of the day at 7:45 a.m.Last tournament game of the day goes at 4:45 p.m.The first annual John DesRoches memorial all-star game will be played at 6:15 p.m.The Edd tournament all-star awards will be presented in a pre-game ceremony before the Summerside Wester Capitals-Amherst Ramblers’ Maritime Junior Hockey League game at 8 p.m.Article contentSunday, Nov. 30Article contentPlayoff action continues at 9 a.m.The championship game is scheduled for 3:15 p.m.Article contentArticle contentJason Simmonds is the sports editor at The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at jsimmonds@postmedia.com and followed on X @JpsportsJason.Article content
The Edd hockey tournament adds all-star game in Summerside, P.E.I.
