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Memorial Marauders aim for first Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Hockey Tournament title since 2016
Memorial Marauders’ Sam Gracie not only leads the team as the captain, but he also leads the club in points (8) this season with three goals and five assists. He’ll take his hot hand into the Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Hockey Tournament this week. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST - Jeremy Fraser
NORTH SYDNEY — Sam Gracie knows what it feels like to step on the ice for the first time for the annual Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Hockey Tournament.
The North Sydney product has played in the tournament with the host Memorial Marauders the last two seasons and will suit up for the Sydney Mines school in the final home event of his high school career.
“When you first get on the ice there’s a lot of nerves but as the game goes on it all starts to leave,” said Gracie, a graduating player and captain of the team.
“Playing in this event is awesome with the crowd and the school community behind you helping you out and giving you that extra boost.”
Memorial hasn’t won the tournament since 2016, but the club will look to turn the tide this week when the team hosts the event at Emera Centre Northside in North Sydney starting on Thursday.
The four-day tournament, running until Sunday, will see eight teams – four in each division – with four local teams and four mainland Nova Scotia clubs participating.
The Marauders will be in the Green Division along with the Sydney Academy Wildcats, Dartmouth Spartans and Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals of Antigonish.
Meanwhile, the Gold Division will include the Riverview Ravens, Glace Bay Panthers, Auburn Drive Eagles of Westphal and the J.L. Ilsley Judges of Halifax.
About
Sam Gracie
- Hometown: North Sydney, N.S.
- Resides: North Sydney, N.S.
- Age: 17
- Position: Left Wing
- Team: Memorial Marauders (CBHSHL)
- School: Memorial High School, Sydney Mines
Memorial Marauders captain Sam Gracie will play in his third and final Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Hockey Tournament this week in North Sydney. The Grade 12 player will be on the ice for Memorial’s tournament opener on Thursday at 8 p.m. against Sydney Academy. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST - Jeremy Fraser
High expectations
Memorial will open the tournament on Thursday at 8 p.m. against Sydney Academy. The team will also play Dartmouth on Friday at 7 p.m. and Dr. J.H. Gillis at 7 p.m. on Saturday to conclude the round-robin.
“We have to take it game-by-game,” said Gracie. “We have to come prepared and ready to play every single game and give 100 per cent every shift.”
The Marauders have high expectations for this year’s tournament after starting strong with four wins in their first five games in the Cape Breton High School Hockey League.
In the local league, Memorial (4-1-0-0) sits in second place, four points behind the first-place Panthers (4-0-1-1) with a game in hand on the Glace Bay school.
The Memorial Marauders will look to win their first Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Hockey Tournament title since 2016 when they host the annual tournament Thursday to Sunday at Emera Centre Northside in North Sydney. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST - Jeremy Fraser
Marauders head coach Marc Lyle said the team’s start is evidence that the club is hungry for success this season.
“We’re a senior-heavy team that has been through the league, but the new players are just as driven and motivated as the returning players,” he said.
“The kids really get along with each other and have bought in as one. We have some nice depth in the lineup and they know if someone is having an off night, there are others they can count on.”
On and off the ice, Gracie has led the way for the Marauders. He leads the team with three goals and eight points in five games and sits fifth in league scoring.
Throughout his high school career, Gracie has been a consistent player for the Marauders. He’s finished in the top 10 in league scoring the last two seasons and is coming off a year where he had 13 goals and 23 points in 17 games in 2023-24.
“It all starts with my linemates,” said Gracie. “I’ve been getting some good puck-luck and bounces helping me get some points this season so far and there’s lots more to come this season.”
Schedule
- Location: Emera Centre Northside, North Sydney
- Hosted by: Memorial High School
Teams
- Green Division: Memorial Marauders (host), Sydney Academy Wildcats, Dartmouth Spartans and Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals
- Gold Division: Glace Bay Panthers, Riverview Ravens, J.L. IIsley Judges and Auburn Drive Eagles
Thursday
- 6 p.m. – Glace Bay vs. Riverview
- 7:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies
- 8 p.m. – Memorial vs. Sydney Academy
Friday
- 1 p.m. – Sydney Academy vs. Dr. J.H. Gillis
- 3 p.m. – Riverview vs. J.L. IIsley
- 5 p.m. – Glace Bay vs. Auburn Drive
- 7 p.m. – Memorial vs. Dartmouth
Saturday
- 9 a.m. – Sydney Academy vs. Dartmouth
- 11 a.m. – J.L. IIsley vs. Auburn Drive
- 1 p.m. – Dartmouth vs. Dr. J.H. Gillis
- 3 p.m. – Glace Bay vs. J.L. IIsley
- 5 p.m. – Riverview vs. Auburn Drive
- 7 p.m. – Memorial vs. Dr. J.H. Gillis
Sunday
- 9 a.m. – Semifinal Game
- 11 a.m. – Semifinal Game
- 2:30 p.m. – Championship Game
Mae Kibyuk
Having been established in 2003, the tournament honours the memory of Mae Kibyuk, an avid Memorial Marauders fan who died earlier the same year at age 72.
Since that time, the tournament has continued to be a draw for hockey supporters across Northside communities and beyond.
“The tournament for our team really is the highlight of the kids’ year,” said Lyle.
“They love representing their school in front of the large crowds. The fans come out in droves to support the kids. If our first two home games this season are any indication, we expect our games to be packed.”
Gracie echoed his coach.
“This tournament means a lot to the team, the school and the community,” said Gracie. “We have lots of different groups in the school that help decorate and set up for this tournament and work so hard to do everything. There will be good hockey played this week.”
Last 10 champs
- 2023 – Glace Bay
- 2022 – Riverview
- 2021 – Dartmouth
- 2019 – Glace Bay
- 2018 – Riverview
- 2017 – Riverview
- 2016 – Memorial
- 2015 – Riverview
- 2014 – J.L. IIsley
- 2013 – Riverview
Looking back
The Marauders program has won the tournament four times in 21 years.
Memorial won its first Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold tournament in 2005, defeating Sydney Academy 4-1 in the championship game at the old North Sydney Forum. Cody Roland had a goal and an assist for the Marauders in the game.
The team defended its title in 2006, knocking off Glace Bay 6-5 to win the championship. Jeff Hall and Johnny MacLeod scored a pair of goals for the team and goaltender Josh Swain stopped 44 of 49 shots.
The Marauders would again win the tournament in 2008, downing Dr. J.H. Gillis 5-3 in the final. Jesse MacLennan scored twice, and Brian Drake was the tournament's most valuable player.
Memorial reached the tournament’s championship game in 2009, but unfortunately lost 1-0 to Kings-Edgehill, despite outshooting the visitors 36-17.
In 2016, the Marauders edged Glace Bay 2-1 in the championship game. Dylan Morley netted the game-winner for Memorial. Evan Jardine made 35 saves for the victory.
As for this year, the tournament semifinals will take place on Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The championship game will be played at 2:30 p.m. The opening ceremonies are set for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.