Family ties can’t save Winnie-Ted Jets

BY MARC LALONDE

marc.lalonde@transcontinental.ca

Some sports aficionados say that in order to have a successful team, you have to become a sort of family.

That’s a whole lot easier to do when you’re already related, though, isn’t it?

In last weekend’s annual Pointe Claire Intermediate Hockey Tournament, a family of hockey players decided it was time to pay homage to their roots and form a team whose intended purpose was to A) honour their grandparents and play some hockey and B) have some fun.

In the end, though, after their tournament ended with a 5-0 loss in the D division semifinals to a determined Montreal Fire Department squad, the Winnie-Ted Jets, a collection of 11 first cousins and one uncle — West Island natives all — named after their grandparents Winnifred and Ted Brady, may have had a little too much fun.

The tournament was held all last weekend at Bob Birnie Arena in Pointe Claire.

It attracted teams and players from across North America. In much the same fashion, Winnie-Ted Jets members flew in from across Canada and points as far west as Ottawa, Toronto and Calgary.

“We probably didn’t get enough rest on the weekend. We were the last group to leave the rink after the games on Friday night and Saturday night,” said Pincourt resident and team spokesman Reggie Mabe. “We did a lot of reminiscing, and some of the guys may have been a bit over-refreshed those nights. The round-robin was OK, (The Jets tied their first two games Friday night and Saturday morning before winning their third game 4-0) but we were out of gas on Sunday morning, I think.”

Maybe they didn’t win, but the Winnie-Ted Jets brought a lot to the tournament, director Sean Campbell said.

“They were among the highlights of the tournament. In fact, they had a bagpiper play them onto the ice before their first game. That was great. Reggie (Mabe) came to me about four weeks ahead of time and ran it by me. I loved the idea,” he said.

The annual tournament, which raises funds for local charities, has become a rite of spring for locals, traditionally coming a week after the Pointe Claire Oldtimers tournament.

“We brought in $10,000 for West Island Community Shares — well, $9,500 for them and $500 for the Pointe Claire Volunteer Fire and Rescue squad,” Campbell said. “Everybody had a good time, but I think the Winnie-Ted Jets had a better time than most. They were great to have around.”

Forward and fellow cousin Ted Brady was glad his extended family was able to get together for an event that everyone was excited to be a part of.

“Usually, when we all get together, it’s for funerals. This was a lot more fun. It’s nice that we all can get together in the same city and have a good time,” said Brady, who grew up in Pointe Claire.

Interesting footnote: Fully seven Winnie-Ted Jets team members either worked for, or have delivered, The Chronicle in their lives.

“It’s the paper we all grew up reading, and we still (read it),” Mabe said.

In tournament finals, the Roadrunners beat the Justiciers 5-3 to capture the A division, while Serrurier Lacroix beat The Company 3-2 in overtime to grab the B division title. The Beerhounds beat Vermont 4-2 in the C final, while The Fog dropped the Montreal Fire Department 5-2 in the D division and Tenaquip knocked off Safety Crew to win the E division title.

For more information on the Pointe Claire Intermediate Hockey Tournament, visit www.pcihl.ca.ꖥ