For the past 29 years, St. Andrew’s has played host to competitive high school hockey teams from across Canada and the U.S.at its annual MacPherson Tournament. This year’s event will take place the weekend of January 13-15, 2012 at the Aurora Community Centre and Aurora Recreation Centre.

This event has become a cherished St. Andrew’s tradition and highly anticipated event. The tournament, a creation of retired first hockey coach and teacher Al Dunford, is one of the most respected and well-organized high school hockey tournaments in North America. It is named after Lloyd MacPherson, an Assistant Headmaster at St. Andrew’s from 1957- 1982, who was regarded as the standard bearer for the School’s Scottish traditions. Some of these traditions are still felt throughout the tournament, including an on-ice performance of St. Andrew’s spectacular Pipes and Drums Band, and celebrations of and references to our loyal Old Boys and past faculty.

The Tournament has had a truly North American flavour, hosting schools from Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Quebec, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, New York, Nova Scotia and Michigan as well as a variety of regions in Ontario.

The schools participating in the 29th Annual MacPherson Tournament include:
Appleby College from Oakville, Ontario
Ashbury College from Ottawa, Ontario
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School from Mississauga, Ontario
St. Brother André Catholic High School from Markham, Ontario
St. Andrew’s College from Aurora, Ontario
St. Francis High School from Athol Springs, New York
Stanstead College from Stanstead, Quebec
Upper Canada College from Toronto, Ontario

The Saints start the New Year with a record of 12 wins 3 losses and 3 ties. This year, the Varsity team boasts a roster of 8 grade 12 students, and 10 very talented underclassmen.

"The team is beginning to round into form and we have improved a great deal since the start of the season," said Coach David Manning. "The MacPherson Tournament is a special time of the year for us. We look forward to competing in front of a hometown crowd and putting on a good show. Each year, this weekend usually brings the best out of our boys, and the seniors would love to finish their SAC careers with a tournament championship."

Old Boys and their families are invited to come back to campus on Saturday, Jan. 14 to attend the SAC Old Boys' Sports & Family Day from 12 noon - 8:00 p.m. Fun activities for all members of the family will include a family skate, Old Boys v. 1st Swim team meet, Under 40 and Over 40 Old Boys' Hockey games, Old Boys' Squash and Basketball Tournaments, Family Swim, kids games and crafts galore, and a reception and family dinner in the Great Hall starting at 5:15 p.m. Tickets are $25/couple (children are free) and $15/single.

The MacPherson Tournament is open to the public and all games played in ACC1 will be simulcast on the Internet at: www.sac.on.ca/live and www.usstream.tv/channel/Jenmark. Game tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for students and $15 for a weekend pass. To view the complete schedule, click here.

St. Andrews is the defending champion and has won the tournament 6 times including 3 championships since 2005. Many St. Andrews players who have played for St. Andrews have gone on to play NCAA/CIS hockey including many Aurora residents dating back to Gord McFarlane (University of Vermont) in 1975.. Others include Scott Silcox (Princeton), Mark Bedard (Dartmouth College), Tom Hussey (Michigan Tech University), John Archibald, (Michigan Tech) Dave Campbell (Queen’s (University). Each of these players also played their minor hockey in Aurora.

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