Central London hosts Hockey Fest

Ball hockey players of all ages converged on central London this weekend for the annual hockey festival.

“It’s great to be able to shut down the streets and bring hundreds of teams into central London,” said Hockey Fest Event Director Mariah Kaymyriah.

The event, based in London, is traveling across North America and will run until Sunday.

With music playing at every rink on Dufferin Avenue, Wellington Street and in Victoria Park and food trucks on site, the event was dubbed the “Lollapalooza of street hockey” by Barstool Sports.

“We’re the defending champs, 7-0 last year, so we came to take it back,” 17-year-old Carson Thompson said.

He added: “What’s not nice about playing hockey on the road, and now that our season is over, it’s great to get out. We’re a bunch of grinders from double-A, single-A and MD.”

Carson Thompson (far left) rallies his team as they prepare for the second half of the game at Hockey Fest in London, Ont. on May 11, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)Teams came from all over Southwestern Ontario, including the Brantford Badgers, who entered nearly a dozen teams in all age groups.

“We tour all summer and spring and this is our first one on our calendar,” said Brantford’s Markus Mathurin. “We love coming here and it’s my favorite tournament because the atmosphere and the vibe is pretty crazy.”

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to charity.

“We’ll donate to different charities wherever we go and partner with different hospital organizations where they host it and they host it and make as much money as possible for whatever charity they’re working with,” Kaymyriah said.

More than 100 teams took over the central London, Ont. for the annual Hockey Fest tournament on May 11, 2024. (Source: Brent Lale/CTV London)

More than 100 teams took over the central London, Ont. for the annual Hockey Fest tournament on May 11, 2024. (Source: Brent Lale/CTV London)