Orillia welcomes 56 teams to ‘incredible’ Winterfest tournament
More than 100 games were played across five local arenas as tournament brought together hundreds of young athletes for a celebration of girls’ hockey
The Orillia Girls Hockey Association (OGHA) welcomed teams from across Ontario to the city this past weekend for another successful Winterfest Tournament, featuring more than 100 games and hundreds of young athletes competing at arenas throughout Orillia.
The annual tournament hosted 56 teams across five divisions — U9, U11, U13, U15 and U18 — with visiting teams travelling from communities including Peterborough, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Kanata, North Bay, Mississauga, Oakville and several others. In total, 103 games were played across five local arenas, making Winterfest one of the largest girls hockey events hosted by the association this season.
The tournament was supported by a strong group of officials and volunteers, including 25 referees, seven timekeepers and 17 volunteers made up of OGHA board members, team volunteers and family members. Their efforts helped ensure a smooth and well-organized weekend for players, coaches and spectators.
The youngest athletes were a key focus throughout the tournament. All U9 players received participation medals, with volunteers assisting with on-ice bumper changes throughout the weekend. Across all divisions, 136 finalist and championship medals were awarded, along with 180 round-robin MVP awards recognizing standout performances.
Championship games wrapped up the weekend with competitive matchups across several age groups:
- U11 champions: Collingwood White Lightning; finalists: Saugeen Shores Storm
- U13 champions: Timmins Falcons; finalists: Kanata Rangers
- U15 champions: Central York Panthers; finalists: Sault Ste. Marie
- U18 champions: Temiskaming Shores Puckhounds; finalists: Norfolk Hurricanes
In addition to on-ice action, the tournament featured a variety of local vendors, including Busy Beads, Jessica’s Preserves, Stevie’s Kettle Corn, Sun Shine Wishes and Wooden It Be Nice, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere for visiting families.
“Winterfest is always a highlight of our season,” said an OGHA representative. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate girls hockey while welcoming teams, families and officials to Orillia. The energy in our arenas all weekend was incredible.”
The OGHA Winterfest Tournament continues to be an important community event for the city, bringing visitors to Orillia while showcasing the continued growth of girls hockey. With strong competition, positive sportsmanship and widespread volunteer support, the weekend once again demonstrated the role sport plays in building community and creating memorable experiences for young athletes
By OrilliaMatters Staff
