NORTH SYDNEY — Growing up playing hockey on the Northside, Mason Chapman envisioned himself playing for the Memorial Marauders.

As he watched the Sydney Mines school host the annual Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Tournament from the stands, he hoped to one day be on the ice wearing the same jersey as fans cheered for him.

After playing one season with the Cape Breton Jets of the Nova Scotia Under-16 ‘AAA' Hockey League, Chapman turned to his childhood dream and suited up for the Marauders last season.

Unfortunately, the Little Bras d'Or product didn't have the opportunity to experience the excitement of the Green and Gold tournament in 2020 because the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now in his senior year, Chapman's dream will come full circle this week when the Marauders host the annual tournament at the Emera Centre Northside in North Sydney.

“It's going to be really exciting to see,” said Chapman. “Last year, we were only allowed four family members in to watch games, the crowd was dead, but being able to have a big crowd for this year's tournament is going to be extra special.”

The event will mark the first high school hockey tournament in Cape Breton since the start of the pandemic. The last tournament held was the Red Cup Showcase, hosted by Riverview, in February 2020.

Along with the host Marauders, the tournament will feature the other three local teams — Glace Bay Panthers, Riverview Ravens and Sydney Academy Wildcats — as well as the Dartmouth Spartans.

Memorial will open the four-day tournament today when they face Sydney Academy at 8 p.m. The host team will play Dartmouth on Friday at 8 p.m., before finishing the round robin on Saturday against Glace Bay at 2 p.m. and Riverview at 8 p.m.

The championship contest is slated for 1 p.m. on Sunday.

ROUGH START

The Marauders will enter the tournament having lost the first three games of their Cape Breton High School Hockey League season.

Head coach Marc Lyle is hopeful the team can use the event as a building block moving forward.

“We haven't got off to the start we'd like early on, but we have been competitive in every game,” said the bench boss. “Our expectation is to build more confidence and experience during the tournament … having (the tournament) early on can only bring the group together.”

After losing 13 players from last year's team, which made a run at the Highland Region title, the Marauders have the youngest roster in the Cape Breton league this season.

Memorial hasn't had game action since last Thursday's 5-2 loss to Sydney Academy. Chapman said the team has used the time to prepare for the Green and Gold tournament.

“We've been working on our breakouts and our net drives as well as our backchecks,” said Chapman, noting the importance of winning the first game against the Wildcats.

“We have a great coaching staff and they're getting us to do the little things right and we're getting better every day.”

Chapman believes the team needs to keep things simple to have success.

“We have to go to the net hard and we have to get shots on goal,” said Chapman. “It's one of the things that we're slacking on a bit, shots on goal. We all have to work together as a team.”

In 2019, Glace Bay captured the Green and Gold tournament title, defeating Riverview 4-3 in overtime to end the Coxheath school's bid for a third straight championship.

The public will be allowed to attend the tournament, however proof of vaccination and mask polices must be followed while inside the arena.

Lyle said his club has been looking forward to the tournament for quite some time, given the fact no events other than regular season and playoffs were played during the 2020-21 season.

“Having missed out on tournaments last year, and the crowds being back in the rink, this is something the players aren't taking for granted,” he said. “This is certaintly something the seniors have circled on their calendar. We've been telling these guys to take it all in and enjoy the moment.”

When asked how he was feeling about the event, Chapman answered with a straightforward response.

“I can't wait,” said Chapman. “It's sad to know it's my last year, but it's really exciting to be allowed to have a tournament this year with people watching, so hopefully everyone will come out and support us all weekend.”