The poor economy is the main reason the 48-year-old Don Mills Flyers Christmas Tournament has been cancelled for this year, said Flyers president Peter MacInnis.
"We have shelved it for this year and will get it back for 2009," MacInnis said. "The economy has had a huge impact," he said. "We normally have a dozen or more teams from the U.S.A. apply and this year we had only one from the Buffalo area."
In its heyday, Detroit Compuware and Detroit Little Caesars were sure entries as were other minor peewee teams from all over the United States. Teams from England, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Latvia and Siberia have also participated.
NHL players Eric Lindros, Larry Murphy, Brad Park, Kris Draper and goaltenders Manny Legace and Kirk McLean are just a few of the tens of thousands of players who honed their competitive skills as 11- or 12-year-olds at the Christmas event.
"I also think private tournaments that run year-round suck out money from the teams and some are being sponsored by big dollars," he said.
MacInnis said that considering all monies spent for accommodations, food and other items "a 170-team, five-day tournament could spin off upwards of $7 million into the local economy.''
Out-of-town teams that were pre-registered for the tourney will be welcomed into the Oakville Christmas Tournament, he said.
"We will concentrate on the minor peewee age group in the future and market it," he said. "It is not gone forever."
