51st Wayne Gretzky International Tournament wraps up in Brantford

The 51st Wayne Gretzky International Hockey Tournament wrapped up in Brantford on Friday. It was the first time the popular tourney was held since the pandemic and the passing of Walter Gretzky.

The tournament continues to be a hit, despite a two-year break. Kevin Murray of Brantford Minor Hockey says, “the excitement of having everyone here and back going especially for our association, it’s one of our major fundraisers, and to not have it the past two years has been difficult… without Walter, it’s just different.”

Walter Gretzky, the Great One’s dad who passed away in March of last year was a mainstay at the rink and at this tournament in the past.

Though Walter Gretzky is no longer here, his parking spot remains outside the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre for this tournament, and the many to follow.

The tournament attracted 104 teams from across the province bringing roughly 7,000 people to the City of Brantford.