March 14, Acadia University, the Acadia Minor Hockey Association and the local community team up to present the fifth annual Hannah Miller Hockey Tournament.
The tournament has been held since 2006 in memory of Hannah Miller, a seven-year-old novice hockey player from Port Williams. Hannah died as the result of an auto collision in Port Williams in the spring of 2005, shortly after the end of her first year in minor hockey.
To perpetuate Hannah’s love and enthusiasm for hockey, the Hannah Miller Memorial Fund was established. The first annual Hannah Miller Memorial tournament took place in March of 2006.
The goal of the fund, a non-profit organization, is to provide opportunity - and financial help where needed - for girls to play hockey in an environment that emphasizes fun and fair play. The fund also supports and promotes developmental activities for female hockey within the AMHA and, in addition, will award an annual scholarship to a deserving Acadia student.
Sunday’s event, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will feature 24 teams of Initiation Program (IP) and Novice Quick Start players from the AMHA and other associations from the Valley and Halifax area. All the IP/Quick Start tournament games will take place at Acadia Arena, with the opening ceremonies set for 1 p.m.
In addition to the hockey action, the afternoon will also feature a ticket auction and silent auction, with all proceeds going to the Hannah Miller Memorial Fund. A draw will also be made for a painting of University Hall by former Acadia professor Dr. Gary Ness.
According to tournament coordinator Matt Jenner, the organizing committee hasn’t set a fundraising goal for this year’s event.
“We’ll be happy with whatever we get,” Jenner says. “Our ultimate goal is to have more people playing hockey - and especially young girls like Hannah.”
