Tournament History
In 1975 the NYHL recognized that there was a need to establish a tournament for 15 year olds. A committee was formed and with the co-operation and assistance of the North York City Council and the Parks and Recreation Department the event was established.
The first tournament was held during the March break of the 75-76 season. Twenty eager Bantam teams took part representing the North York Hockey League, Metropolitan Toronto Hockey League, Ontario Minor Hockey Association and the Scarborough Hockey Association. From the outset the tournament proved successful and thereafter became a much-anticipated annual event.
In March 1979 an 8-year-old Select division was added and in the same year, the committee decided to move the tournament to Christmas week. For the December 1980 edition a division for 7-year-old Selects was also included. We have also hosted teams from Europe since 1977.
In December 1982 the North York Hockey League helped the St. Michael’s MTHL team by billeting some young Scandinavian players. This opened the door and with the then President Jim Baird’s motivation and the able assistance of Fred Laphen of Sports Group International, the following year the Scandinavian teams became an integral part of our event.
In 2000, following the death of Jim Baird, the tournament was renamed in recognition of the tireless effort he provided for the betterment of youth in hockey.
The North York Hockey League has successfully operated this tournament for 33 years with the mandate that ‘it’s for the players and it has to be fun’.