Sporting custom Jeff Yungblut t-shirts, sweatshirts, toques and ball caps; friends, family, and the community at large came together to skate and swap stories about the beloved departed Thorold man from Friday through Sunday.
“We’ve had a phenomenal weekend,” Nancy Yungblut told ThoroldNews Sunday evening.
The fourth annual hockey tournament was held in memory of her son Jeff, who passed away May 11, 2013, while at a hockey tournament in Markham with his son, Cole.
Nancy said “It meant a lot” to her that Cole’s under age 19 team won the division this year, though he couldn’t play since he’d broken his kneecap playing hockey prior to the tournament. However, he still contributed by coaching this year’s team.
“It’s awesome,” said the 17-year-old. “Everybody here was affected by it (his father’s passing), so it’s nice to have everyone here supporting us.”
Kayleigh, Jeff’s 19-year-old daughter, created the scorekeeping schedule and managed the tournament’s website and Facebook page.
“I’ve been here helping out every year,” she said. “The first year, we had six teams and it’s grown to 26. Twenty kids from Denis Morris and Thorold High came and sat in the cold and helped. It’s a sharing environment and everybody wants to talk about my dad and share stories. It’s so nice.”
Kayleigh said this year’s first father and son game was a big hit. “A lot of people came and participated, which was awesome. We had a family skate as well and that was packed also. I have literally grown up in this arena and I love everyone in this community. You can’t even explain the feeling when you walk in and there are so many people here and they’re sharing stories. It’s just like he’s here.”
Although it’s an exhausting experience for the family—both emotionally and physically, they’re re-energized by the community’s support.
“As soon as this ends, we go right back to the drawing board at my grandparents and bring all our ideas back” to plan next year’s tournament, said Kayleigh, musing that the family functions as a team. “Grandma is like the manager.”
With so many family members pitching in to help the tournament run smoothly, “People are saying ‘Thank you so much for letting us be a part of it’,” said Nancy. “It’s overwhelming, and so many people are so generous. It’s not just family. It’s community.”
Arena staff was outstanding and this year’s list of major sponsors increased from “16 or 17” to 24, she said, with companies and individuals contributing raffle prizes, or toward the cost of food or ice time.
Their financial support enables the family to continue awarding scholarships to Thorold Secondary and Denis Morris students every year in Jeff’s name.
According to Kayleigh, “We would still welcome them to apply.”
Nancy said that Jeff coached some of the Thorold Bantams who just recently reached the playoffs against Napanee, and commented on the comforting presence of Jeff's many friends, mentioning Jim Pyatt and Mike Law, whose team won last year’s tournament.
“It helps heal,” she said; “absolutely. Everywhere you go, you hear Jeff stories.”
Her husband Jim said, “It’s always such great support from the community, and they’re all part of the family in some way. It’s all for a great cause to keep his dream alive. It has grown every year. Some teams have been back all four years.”
Jim said he’s happy to provide the scholarships in Jeff’s name. “So many students are looking for money, so it’s a good help.”
Kory Yungblut, who came up with the idea to run the tournament four years ago, was one of Jeff’s closest cousins.
“I idolized the guy,” he said. “He was the cool older cousin and he treated me awesome. I looked up to him.”
Kory played on the Station 4 fire hall team in this year’s tournament. Jeff was the former volunteer captain of the fire hall.
“I appreciate the support from the community,” said Kory. “It really is kind of a community event, where almost every team has a connection in some way. Jeff knew so many people and with him being involved with minor hockey, the fire hall, construction, and with his personality, it’s contagious. And you hear nothing but good stuff about him. People really respect him.”
TOURNAMENT RESULTS:
WINNERS RUNNERS UP
A Div. Thorold Mounts | Danger Zone
B Div. PHL Leafs | Pelham Chiefs
Rec Div. The Guyz | Iggy’s Pub Crew
EMS Div. Dunnville Fire | Thorold Station 1 (shootout)
Female Div. Orange Crush | Cherry Pickers
U-19 Div Dimes | Finalists: Lions
