Volunteer of the Year
The Mousquiri Tournament lost one of its most distinguished and dedicated volunteers in October 2002. Gérard “Ti-Noir” Martel, who had 39 years of service, passed away after courageously battling illness. To honor the memory of this exceptional volunteer, who left a significant void within the Mousquiri family, the Jean Dion Trophy (founding president), awarded annually to volunteers of the tournament, is now named the Jean Dion-Gérard Martel Trophy. This year, the trophy will be awarded to two long-time volunteers, Ms. Johanne Boisvert-Bisson and Mr. Gilbert Bisson, who have devoted themselves to the security committee. The award ceremony will take place on Friday, February 7 at 5:30 PM, during the official opening.
The Oldest Tournament
To reiterate, the Mousquiri Tournament is the oldest M-11 (atom) tournament in the province and the oldest hockey tournament in all categories in Estrie. It is worth noting that the Mousquiri Tournament has always hosted players aged 9 to 11 over its 59-year history. In short, it has always maintained the same category, and only the name has changed, as it was originally referred to as the mosquito and moustique tournament. This year marks its 38th edition as a national tournament.
Free Admission
Since 2023, there are no longer any entry fees for spectators. Admission is free every day of the tournament.
Official Tournament Opening
The official opening of the tournament will take place on Friday, February 7 at 5:30 PM, before the Class A game between the Phoenix (1) of Sherbrooke and the Desjardins-Wild of Richmond-Windsor, the host team of the tournament. During this ceremony, the tournament will welcome the flag bearers from Branch No. 15 of the Royal Canadian Legion of Richmond, as well as provincial, federal, and municipal political representatives from the region and sponsors, among others.
Champion Teams’ Banners
The banners awarded to the champion teams have been named in honor of tournament volunteers. Thus, in the AA category, the champions will receive the Michèle Nadeau Banner (long-time volunteer as registrar and president); in the BB category, the Daniel Ménard Banner (long-time volunteer, notably as referee and president); in the A category, the Robert Dalton Banner (long-time volunteer, notably as registrar); in the B category, the Pierre Daigle Banner (long-time volunteer, notably on the player access and room committee); and in the C category, the Roland Tanguay Banner (long-time volunteer as assistant registrar).
Local Teams
The City of Richmond will be represented by three teams in the tournament. They will compete in the Participation category, as Richmond no longer has two-letter teams since a few years ago. This change is due to a new structure implemented by Hockey Estrie, which has allowed its best players to play in Drummondville in two-letter AA or BB teams. The young players from Richmond continue to play this year with those from Windsor and are part of the Desjardins-Wild teams of Richmond-Windsor, which will compete in the A, B, and C categories.
It is worth recalling that the host city of the tournament has won 13 championships over the last 59 editions, including a historic double last year with ultimate victories in the A and B categories by the Desjardins-Wild of Richmond-Windsor. Other titles include those of Métro Brunelle du Val-Saint-François in 2015 in the A category, the Express de Richmond in the B category in 2006, the Islanders in the B category in 2001, and the Olympiques in the B category in 2000. Another B title was recorded by the Islanders in 1993. The Riverains won in 1997 and 1986 in the CC category, as well as in 1979 and 1984 in the Invitation category. There was also a C title in 1980 and the first one won in 1974 in the B category by the Olympiques.
Statistics
The cities of Drummondville and Sherbrooke dominate with the most championships, each with 21 titles. Richmond follows with 13 titles, then Val-Des-Sources (Asbestos) with 11. Acton Vale has won 9 championships, while St-Eustache and La Tuque have each won 7.
The cities with the most tournament participations, including this year, are:
Drummondville: 60 participations
Sherbrooke and Windsor: 57 participations
Asbestos: 54 participations
Acton Vale: 49 participations
Granby: 46 participations
Warwick: 42 participations
Victoriaville: 41 participations
St-Eustache: 37 participations
Laval: 30 participations
Trois-Rivières: 19 participations
La Tuque: 18 participations
Champions’ Trophies
Trophies Awarded to Champions
AA Category: Claude “Pee-Wee” Roy Trophy, in honor of this brilliant hockey player from Richmond, who made his mark with the Royal of Lac-Mégantic junior A in the 1970s and later with the Aigles Bleus of Moncton in the university league. He tragically lost his life in a car accident at the age of 23 in 1977.
BB Category: Roger Martel Trophy, in honor of this great volunteer from Richmond, a founding member of the tournament who served as the tournament registrar for 20 years.
A Category: Sylvain Lefebvre Trophy, in honor of this hockey player from Richmond who played in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Rangers.
B Category: Omer Guimond Trophy, in honor of this great tournament volunteer.
C Category: Tournament President’s Trophy, awarded to the president of the tournament.
Research: Guy Marchand