Girls teams join the Kiwanis par

Girls teams join the Kiwanis party: Hockey tourney adds wrinkle for 32nd year

By KAREN EKNAIAN
The Patriot Ledger

The Kiwanis Hockey Tournament is traveling a new avenue this year - one that should continue to grow in the coming years.

For the first time in its 32-year history, the youth hockey tournament will include all-girls teams during its one-week run.

‘‘Girls hockey has been up and coming,'' said Michelle Stenberg, co-director of the tournament and Quincy Youth Arena manager. ‘‘It is something that has been made available to us. We are hoping that will continue to grow.''

Of the 480 players who will participate in the event, 80 are girls. Most will play for the all-girls teams from Quincy, Braintree and Weymouth; some will play on co-ed teams.

The tournament, which is free to spectators, begins Monday. Semifinals and finals are scheduled for next Saturday and Sunday.

A team from Austria has returned to the tournament. Entries have also come from from California, Maine, and Pennsylvania to join teams from the South Shore and Greater Boston.

‘‘It's an athletic, academic, and cultural program,'' Stenberg said. ‘‘The children from Austria are able to stay with American families, and they will be going to see the Providence Bruins this year.''

The tournament is geared to A-level teams, meaning it pits the most talented players from their respective areas against each other.

‘‘(Stenberg) does a tremendous job getting a great field of teams,'' said co-director Larry Kelly.

‘‘Word gets around. (The Kiwanis tournament) is seen as one of the best in New England.''

Besides being a cultural and hockey experience for players and parents, the tournament is one of the Kiwanis Club's major fund-raisers.

The Kiwanis Club has donated all money raised through entry fees and ad books to children in the Quincy area. Many schools have forwarded requests for help with food, clothing, and textbooks.

According to club president Jean McCarty, $110,000 has been donated to groups ranging from the Pediatric Trauma Center at New England Medical Center to Quincy Special Olympics. Donations have also funded scholarships and benefited school districts within Quincy.

Karen Eknaian may be reached at keknaian@ledger.com.