49th annual Coca Coca Cola Classic pee wee tournament at Kal Tire Place North in February, 2020 (file photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Pete McIntyre

No Coca Cola pee wee hockey tournament this year

Jan 21, 2021 | 12:41 PM

A popular event that runs during Vernon Winter Carnival will not be held this year.

The committee that organizes the Coca Cola Classic pee wee hockey tournament, has cancelled the 2021 tournament due to COVID-19.

It would have been the 50th annual.

“Unfortunately, the cancellation of the Coca Cola Classic for 2021 is disappointing for sure, and we are especially cognizant that some of our local pee wees may not have the opportunity to play in such a prestigious event this year. Many of those kids most likely watched an older brother or sister play in the tournament a few years ago and were waiting for their opportunity which for now is on hold,” tournament co-chair Jaron Chasca, said on the event’s website.

Chasca went on to say the committee was put in a position to cancel the four-day tournament at Kal Tire Place North due to an uptick in coronavirus cases across Canada and North America recently and the uncertainty of what minor hockey will look like in February 2021.

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“Our tournament committee has taken pride in putting on this world-class international tournament for 49 successful years. The 2021 tournament would have marked 50 years of our tournament and our tournament slogan “The Stars Of Tomorrow, Are Here Today.” Our slogan has proven to be true over and over again with a list of players that were drafted and went to play in the NHL that have played in the Classic,” Chasca added.

The tournament committee is thanking its past and present sponsors, volunteers and committee members for their support, and is planning to return for its 50th event in February 2022.