Minor hockey teams from across the Lower Mainland are in Aldergrove this weekend for the annual memorial tournament honouring Coleton Nelson.
Coleton’s parents have been raising funds every year in his memory to help provide gifts and Christmas hampers for families in the community who need the extra help at this time of year.
For this year's tournament, which runs all weekend into Monday, Nov. 11, will feature a raffle for various items, and a 50/50 draw that will support players of the AMHA.
Coleton was killed in a vehicle collision on Feb. 28, 2011, at Robertson Crescent and 256 Street.
He was a passenger in the car, which was broadsides by a garbage truck and pronounced dead at the scene.
A popular local student with the #10 for his U13 minor hockey team, the community has kept Coleton's memory alive with memorial services each year and through a legacy, the Coleton Nelson #10 Trust Fund that helps provide financial assistance to other young hockey players who love the game just as he did.
"Coleton is remembered as a player who had an unmatched love of the game, and was a terrific teammate," shared Jeff Crossman, president of the AMHA.
"Those who were fortunate enough to coach [Coleton] have described him as a coach's dream player – positive, hard working, and eager to learn."
Period 1 ends with Aldergrove in the lead 3-1 pic.twitter.com/43ENJkJm0w
— Aldergrove Star (@AldergroveStar) November 9, 2024
Coleton's parents, Wayne and Brenda Nelson, have helped the association host the tournament every year in memory of their late son.
"We want to foster children's love of sport, their ability to learn and work together as a team, as well as aid them in building lifelong skills that come from dealing with all the highs and lows a sporting season can provide," Crossman said.
Games run throughout today, Sunday, Nov. 10, starting at 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. The semi-finals and final matches kick-off at 8 a.m. Monday.
"Hockey fans or not, watching these kids compete and witnessing their love of the game makes for an incredible environment," Crossman commented.
The tournament is being held at the Aldergrove Community Centre, located at 27032 Fraser Hwy.
A full schedule can be viewed online at aldergroveminorhockey.com.
