Hudson McGean of the Memorial Marauders, left, takes a shot on goal during Cape Breton Hockey School Hockey League action at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre last month. McGean is in his final season with the team and will play in the annual Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Hockey Tournament this week in North Sydney. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST

NORTH SYDNEY, N.S. — The Memorial Marauders will kick off the local high school hockey tournament season when they host the annual Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Hockey Tournament this week.

The four-day tournament, hosted at the Emera Centre Northside, will feature seven teams, including five from Cape Breton: the host Marauders, Glace Bay Panthers, Sydney Academy Wildcats, Riverview Ravens and the Division 2 Dalbrae Dragons.

Off-island teams will feature the Dartmouth Spartans and the J.L. IIsley Judges of Spryfield.

The tournament will begin with two games on the schedule on Thursday. Riverview will play Glace Bay at 5:30 p.m. followed by the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. Memorial will face Sydney Academy immediately following at 7:30 p.m.

The event continues on Friday and Saturday with Memorial playing on Friday at 11 a.m. against Dalbrae and 7 p.m. against Riverview, before wrapping up the round-robin portion of the event on Saturday at 11 a.m. against J.L. IIsley.

The semifinals are Saturday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The championship will be played at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Entering the tournament, the Cape Breton Post caught up with third year and graduating forward Hudson McGean to get his thoughts on the team, his play this season and the event.

Here's what he said.

Q: Tell me a little bit about the first four games of the season for the team.

A: Our first four games came with some ups and downs but that’s part of the game, so hopefully we can capitalize on the mistakes and fix them.

Q: The club sits tied for second place in the four-team Cape Breton High School Hockey League with a 2-2 record, what has the team learned through the first four games?

A: We learned that nothing is going to come easy, so we have to put the work in if we want to be as successful as we want to be.

Q: Individually, you've had a good start to the season with five points in four games. What can you say about your production so far?

A: The points are great and all, but I just want to focus on what I can do to help the team to its full capability.

Q: You had seven points in 16 games in 2022-23, what changed in your game from last season to this year?

A: Being a Grade 12 player has made me have more confidence and I want to do the best I can to succeed in this tournament.

Q: How special is it to be able to represent your school and play in the Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Hockey Tournament? What's it like to be out on the ice with a large crowd in the stands?

A: It’s always special to represent your school in a memorial tournament, especially someone who belonged to your community and was well-loved by everyone. It makes my team and I feel special knowing that a large number of our community members come out to watch us play the game we love.

Q: Memorial hasn't won the Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Hockey Tournament since 2016. What does the team have to do this weekend to change that?

A: We have to work hard, stay focused and play the game that we all know we can and to stick to our game plan.

Q: For someone who attends Memorial High School, what does the Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Hockey Tournament mean to the school and its students?

A: Mae was an avid hockey fan who loved the Marauders and spent countless hours at the rink watching the game she loved, especially when her grandson played a number of years ago. One of her two sons still comes every year to open and close the tournament and is very pleased with Memorial and its volunteers that help keep her memory alive. Knowing that you're keeping a memory going for as long as it has, it’s a special part in everybody’s heart.

Q: Does it feel surreal knowing this is your last Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Hockey Tournament before graduating and moving on from the program?

A: It does really feel surreal knowing that this is my last green and gold tournament. This makes me want to work even harder knowing this is my final shot to win the tournament.

Q: What would you say to encourage local hockey fans to come out and support the team and the tournament this weekend?

A: Embrace the excitement of local hockey. Join us this weekend to cheer for our team, create unforgettable memories and show your support for our community. Your energy in the stands can make this tournament unforgettable for everyone.

Q: What would it mean to you to be able to win the Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Hockey Tournament in your Grade 12 year?

A: Winning the Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold in my Grade 12 year would be incredibly meaningful. It signifies the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and camaraderie with my teammates. This tournament represents more than just a victory, it embodies the spirit of sportsmanship, teamwork and honouring the memory of Mae.