Jack Lyons memorial hockey tournament honours late teen with autism
The legacy of a late North Bay teen with autism lives on as the second annual memorial hockey tournament raises funds for local support services.
Photos from the annual Jack Lyons Memorial Hockey Exhibition in North Bay
The one-day tournament, the Jack Lyons Memorial Hockey Exhibition, raised money for One Kids Place’s autism support services in North Bay and area on Thursday.
Jack Lyons was a student at Chippewa Secondary School who tragically passed away in April 2022 at the age of 17.
His family continues to advocate for autism awareness services, in his honour as a way of remembering him.
"It’s an honour to play in this tournament and for such a good cause," said Chippewa student Hunter Pizzali.
The arena stands were packed with fans, including students from Chippewa and West Ferris Secondary School.
As the puck dropped the crowd cheered.
Photos from the annual Jack Lyons Memorial Hockey Exhibition in North Bay
"It just overwhelms me to hear what’s here," said Lyon’s father Mark.
"It feels like a Battalion playoff game. To support Jack is just amazing."
Jack was very active in fat biking and he loved hockey.
He played for the North Bay North Stars hockey team, a program for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Photos from the annual Jack Lyons Memorial Hockey Exhibition in North Bay
"There’s no events like this in Sudbury or Kitchener," Lyons said.
"I’m getting calls all over to say 'how do we do it?'"
The school organized this one-day hockey exhibition with competing West Ferris and the North Stars, facing off for a few fun games.
"Our first pillar is to remember Jack and the person he was," said Chippewa Secondary School teacher Craig Nodwell.
"The second pillar is to raise awareness and some funds for autism."
Nodwell worked with returning Grade 13 student Jenna Wilson to put the tournament together.
She was close friends with Lyons.
"We went to school together and I did a placement in his classroom," Wilson said.
"Jack was always funny. He was always pulling jokes and pulling pranks in class."
Around 2,000 students attended the games.
Photos from the annual Jack Lyons Memorial Hockey Exhibition in North Bay
Photos from the annual Jack Lyons Memorial Hockey Exhibition in North Bay
Last year, the memorial exhibition collected $15,000 in donations.
All of the money raised will go to One Kids Place to support its autism summer program for between 50-60 kids.
The donations allow these kids to attend the camps free of charge.
"Each week is themed," One Kids Place volunteer coordinator Jesse Reid said.
"This year we have a great STEM camp running. We’ll be working on robotics and hopefully we can go check out some really great places in the community."
The Lyons family said it’s honoured to carry on their son’s legacy to ensure children with autism have the supports they need and to do that with the students in the stands cheering on for the game Jack loved to watch and play.
"It’s people in the community that give back and keep that momentum," Mark Lyons said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.