If there's one thing that people in Canadian harness racing are passionate about outside of the industry, it would undoubtedly be hockey. Just ask Dan Creighton
.
The Strathroy-based trainer organizes the popular annual horsemen's hockey tournament, held on Wednesday in Oakville, Ont. J.R. Plante's Team Paralyzer captured the Open division after going through the elimination round of the tournament without tasting defeat, while the Dave Green Stable repeated as champs in the Oldtimers division.
"Both teams were solid all the way through," Creighton told Trot Insider. "Neither team lost and they were each well-deserving winners."
Some of the familiar names from Plante's Team Paralyzer include trainer Nicholas Boyd and drivers Aaron Byron and Brad Watt.
"It's our favourite day of the year," said Boyd. "Everyone looks forward to it and this year was no disappointment. It always brings out good rivalries. Dan Creighton did a fabulous job organizing it once again.
"The win was redemption for last year -- we had a lot of high hopes that were utterly dismantled when we didn’t make the finals. It feels nice to have a year's worth of bragging rights."
Creighton's satisfaction comes more from how the horsemen are able to get together for a day away from the track and compete in a different way.
"It's a lot of fun, a good time to enjoy and relax with fellow horsemen and get away from the grind."
Creighton wishes to thank everyone who helped make the tournament a success - including horseman Elden Turcotte who, according to Creighton, "started this the hard way some 30 years ago, before cell phones, the Internet and fax machines."
As well, Creighton acknowledged the hard work of Linda Yake and her daughter Courtney who were extremely helpful with the organization of the day's events.