Gabriola Big Grandes head to Tubbers Cup
For the second year in a row, the Gabriola Big Grandes ice hockey team will be taking part in the Nanaimo Tubbers Cup this coming weekend.
Jethro Baker is the captain. He said most of the players come from Gabriola. There are a couple players from off-island with Gabriola connections.
This year is the second time the Grandes have played in the tournament.
Jethro said, “Last year we won a game. If we do that again, I’ll be pretty happy.
“What we’re really happy to be doing is playing real ice hockey. Last year was the first time I’d played an organized game of hockey with refs. Now I’ve played in a league and have more experience for this year.”
Jethro said North Road Sports has helped out with the uniforms for the team, which will have a new logo designed this year by Claire Watson of Chalk-it-Up Designs.
Jethro said he’d love to see Gabriolans in the stands during their games cheering on the islanders as they take on the other teams.
This year, the first game has a family connection, as Jack Mattes and his son Eric playing with the Grandes will be facing off against Jack’s older son Alex who plays for the Harewood Paramedics.
That game goes at 11:45 a.m. this Friday, Feb. 17 at Frank Crane Arena.
Jack said he’s thrilled to be playing in the game with his sons.
“It’s pretty exciting. Alex is pretty good. He started playing hockey with me when he was five. He’s way better than I am and way younger.
“We’ve been playing together in the father-son games on Sunday afternoons. I’m really hoping my line is pitted up against his line.”
The Gabriola team takes its name from the Grande, a popular fishing area just off Gabriola’s north-facing shore near the Dragon’s Lodge, formerly known as the Grande Hotel.
The team has two games scheduled for Friday, Feb. 17 and one on Saturday, Feb. 18.
After the Harewood game, the team then has the afternoon to rest up before a 7 p.m. game against The Rhinos at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
On Saturday they face the Vancouver Island Gunners at the Cliff McNabb Arena. The Sunday final for the Grandes’ division is scheduled for 7:45 a.m. Teams get in to the final based on both their win-loss record and the number of goals scored. For more details on the tournament, head to www.nanaimotubbers.com.