Timmins high school graduates reconnect with hockey

Graduates of a French Catholic high school in Timmins gather this weekend for an alumni hockey tournament celebrating its 35th year.

People like to get together for a good game of hockey – and in Timmins this weekend, the players are alumni of École Secondaire Catholique Thériault.

Hundreds of former students of École Secondaire Catholique Thériault in Timmins and their families have come back to town catch up and enjoy some friendly competition at an annual alumni hockey tournament that is celebrating its 35th year. (Sergio Arangio/CTV News Northern Ontario)Hundreds of former students and their families have come back to catch up and enjoy some friendly competition at the annual Francophone event.

The idea of the tournament is to challenge former classmates to a game of hockey rather than gather in an old gymnasium to chat.

This unique high school reunion is in its 35th year and now brings together old friends from several generations.

“I don’t get to see them too often anymore, since everyone has families and kids,” said Shane Turcotte, a member of the 2008 graduating class.

“I get to see them once a year and it’s great to have a drink with them and socialize.”

Attendees range from alums from as far back as the late 70s to recent or soon-to-be graduates.

This year’s event was organized by six members of the school’s alumni.

Co-organizer Jonathan St. Pierre talks with CTV News about the annual 'Tournoi des Anciens' event in Timmins. (Sergio Arangio/CTV News Northern Ontario)“I have friends that are all over Canada that are coming up for this tournament, just to come and check things out,” said co-organizer Jonathan St. Pierre.

“They’re up for the holidays. This is kind of like a great meeting place, large enough to hold a thousand people, within the stands.”

Organizers told CTV News that the magic of the event is being able to reminisce over the old days and see how far everyone has come.

“I’m seeing players that I used to play against or coached or refereed for me, but, you know, it’s nice to see even family members,” said St. Pierre.

“Seeing parents, ex-teachers.”

St. Pierre added while seeing your peers you can also crush them on the ice for old time’s sake.

“It’s bragging rights, right,” he said.

“You’re in, you come back next year, you say, ‘Oh, we won last year,’ and hopefully you try to win it again.”

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The tournament will also include women’s games this year for the first time and organizers said they hope to dedicate an entire day of the event to women’s hockey in future years.

This year’s games wrap up Saturday but organizers said they hope to bring back even more Theriault graduates next year.

For more information, visit the tournament’s social media event page.