SHI-BOSTON…ROUND TWO

When the going gets tough, Canadians don’t just get going, we lend a firm hand! In this case, Special Hockey International (SHI) held its yearly International Tournament in Boston for the second straight year. This critical Hockey event could not be missed by Grandravine, the team that started it all- 45 years back. So yes, it was a slimmer model from Boston 2024, but the games must go on! Especially, as the Grandravine Tornadoes are the 2026 SHI host! Wednesday dawned in Boston with beautiful cherry blossoms and warm temperatures.  Those who drove from Toronto greeted the Grandravine Bus at our Hyatt Place hotel about 4:30 p.m.

On Thursday morning, our Boston- American hosts extended a very warm Tournament welcome at Lovell Arena for the opening ceremonies. Our own Joe Rizzuto was on the ice taking part in the festivities. And then the puck dropped and all of Grandravine’s 3 teams played 4 games, as disparate as Ottawa, Boston, Maine, Minnesota & Wisconsin.  As usual, there was a complete mix of Wins, Losses & Ties in these hard fought matches. 

Games were scheduled on Thursday and Saturday with an Open Travel Vacation Day on Friday. This was very well received by all. The Grandravine bus repeated its downtown Boston journey of 2024 and families were left to their own sightseeing devices. Others ventured by Car and Rail, as far as Providence, Rhode Island to check out that city. Some headed to a local State Park, with a view of Boston across the Harbour.

The traditional SHI Banquet was held at Dave and Buster’s Restaurant. Those of us from Grandravine are more used to the pomp and ceremony of formal banquets, ala the Premier Palace Hall. This was not that. But, what it lacked in formality and presentation, it excelled in entertainment for the athletes as our hockey players got to play numerous games that rivalled the floor of an action Vegas casino.

We capped it off, wildly cheering on… well most of us… the Maple Leafs in their Playoff matchup against the Ottawa Senators. Hyatt Place had kindly volunteered a break out room and one of our own members, Morris Magni, hooked us up with the Leafs!

All in all, another year’s SHI tourney in the books. And before we know it, WE will be hosting next March 5th in Toronto. Congrats to all the players, coaches, managers and GR Executive members who carried this off in fine fashion during this most unusual year. 

See you all next fall, as we prep for our own SHI party.