The Zattzoo Cup Memorial Hockey Tournament is returning to Port Alberni's multiplex after Christmas.
What started as a memorial family skate, then a hockey game, has now expanded into an annual eight-team single knockout tournament.
Organizer Kim Blake said the tournament has grown this year to a whole day event. It will run Friday, Dec. 27 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.
The annual tournament raises funds for the Zattzoo Project, a Port Alberni non-profit that strives to promote and support young musicians. The project was formed in memory of the late Zakk Coss, a talented musician who died in a car accident. Zattzoo was his childhood nickname.
This year, there will be four adult teams competing for the Zattzoo Cup and four kids' teams competing for the Zattzoo Junior Cup. The two divisions of four teams each will battle it out in a single knockout bracket-style tournament.
The teams are as follows: Team Double R Meats, Team Shaker (the defending 2023 champions), Team Funtastic and Team Cloud City.
Anyone who would like to take part and play in the 2024 Zattzoo Cup tournament can contact Nolan Ward through Facebook messenger or by texting 250-731-8234. A donation of $30 per adult or $10 per youth is required to confirm registration. Once the rosters are full, registration stops.
The event is free and open to the public to watch.
"Bring your family down for some local fun in sport," said Blake. "We hope to see you at the rink."
