Thursday April 22 marks the beginning of the third annual Jennifer Widbur Memorial Hockey Tournament.

Jennifer was a wife, a mother of two young boys and an active member of the Hockey Moms of Honeywood who was only 40 when she lost her fight with cancer.

In memory of her life the Hockey Moms of Honeywood have organized an annual three-day ladies hockey tournament to support breast cancer research. The tournament runs from April 22 to April 24.

So far, 10 teams have registered to play with on average 15 to 20 players per team.

The tournament will take place at the North Dufferin Community centre, with the first game starting at 7 p.m. after the official puck-dropping ceremony.

Jennifer’s kids and her father will be participating in the opening ceremonies.

Registration per team is $400. Each team is also given sponsor sheets and asked to raise $100 per player in sponsorships.

Hats and sweaters will be sold during the tournament. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. There will also be a 50/50 draw, a quilt raffle and a raffle table with breast cancer promotion products donated by local businesses and members of the community.

The tournament will conclude with a BBQ and dance on Saturday, April 24. The BBQ begins at 5 p.m. and the dance at 8. Tickets are still available.

At present, the teams are only split into two divisions.

“We started with three divisions: beginner, noncompetitive and competitive,” said Crystal Lucas, a hockey mom and member of the original Honeywood Hockey Moms.

“But we haven’t had anyone register for the competitive session, so we’re just beginner and non-competitive.”

All proceeds form this year’s tournament will be donated to the Headwaters Health Care Foundation, specifically for the mammography imaging equipment.

This will mark the second year that Headwaters will benefit from the memorial tournament.

Catherine Matzig, the senior development officer with the Headwaters Health Care Foundation, $31,000 has already been donated to the foundation.

“We have been very pleased to receive the proceeds from this incredible tournament,” she said.

Digital mammography is the breast X-ray used to detect cancer and early abnormalities. The digital process allows the radiologist and technician to find abnormalities that are very small. It also aids in early detection of cancer.

“Women in our community now have access to what is essentially the latest technology in breast cancer detection in mammography,” said Mrs. Matzig. “Early detection is part of the key to a successful recovery.”

Mrs. Matzig said of the Hockey Moms: “It’s a remarkable group of organizers and participants,.”

According to Mrs. Lucas, well over 100 people have volunteered their time to help with preparations for the tournament.

“(Jennifer) was huge in the community,” said Mrs. Lucas. “Her family has always been a huge part of everything in Shelburne.”

“We don’t need people who really even know how to play hockey,” she added. The goal of this tournament is to raise as much money for life-saving cancer equipment, and have fun while doing it.

More teams are still welcome. For more information contact Mike deLaat at (519) 925-2491, or send and e-mail to jw.tournament @bell.net.