Dec 31, 2025 | Chris Cortese | 20 views
Thank you for a great tournament!
We would like to thank everyone for a terrific 65th Riverside Minor Hockey Association International Christmas Tournament!
So many people have helped us put this event on again this year. A big thank you to the Kitchen Staff under the direction of Bob Sobocan, Rob Keech and Mike Rocheleau for putting in long hours, along with the many volunteers, to feed us all some great meals this week. Thank you to Jan Sokolowski and his team who prepared all of the lasagna from scratch, to Koolini Italian Catering for the chili, Donna's Deli for the hot dogs. The food was a big hit again this year, a tradition we have carried on since Tournament #1 when the Ladies Auxiliary began doing so, so long ago!
Thank you to our Sponsors, including the WFCU who is our Major Sponsor and then many other sponsors you will see throughout the program and posted on the website. Without your support, this tournament wouldn't happen.
A huge thank you to our billet families (including two from Tecumseh-Shoreline) who hosted our Czech friends this week. It's a major factor in bringing overseas teams here and we know it's a big ask, especially at this time of the year. It sounds like you all had a great time hosting them from the feedback I got and I'm sure you will all have great lasting memories for years to come.
Thank you to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 255 in Riverside, and the Scottish Society of Windsor for attending again this year with the colour party and the pipes and drums to help us pull off another great Opening Ceremonies!. A special thank you to the Russette Family for dropping the puck to honour our great friend George Russette, whom we dearly miss!
And finally, many thanks to the Tournament Committee, RMHA President Anne Marie Schofield, the RMHA Board and all of the volunteers who helped out in the kitchen, Welcome Desk, Tournament Office, scorekeepers, officiating staff etc. The list is large and I hope I'm not forgetting to mention anyone. This tournament would never happen without you! It's a big commitment that is greatly appreciated.
To all of you who helped, thank you for continuing a community Christmas tradition! Christmastime just wouldn't be the same if this tournament wasn't taking place. We look forward to seeing you all next year on Dec. 28, 2026 at the 66th! Happy New Year and enjoy a safe and prosperous 2026!