The annual Tubbers Hockey Tournament takes place Friday, Feb. 6 through Sunday, Feb. 8 at Nanaimo Ice Centre. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

drop the puck

VIU’s men’s hockey team hosts vital fundraising tournament

Feb 6, 2026 | 5:35 AM

NANAIMO — Representing far more than bragging rights and a few laughs, a community-building tournament for VIU’s men’s hockey team takes over Nanaimo Ice Centre.

For a fourth year, the annual Tubbers Hockey Tournament sees the local collegiate hockey squad take the lead role in coordinating the longstanding tournament which dates back to the early 1980’s.

The tournament takes place all day Friday, Feb. 6 and Saturday, and until Sunday afternoon at both NIC ice sheets.

Tournament coordinator and VIU men’s hockey team president Gord Nowicki said 20 teams in five divisions are ready to hit the ice.

“This is a nice little chunk of money that helps us achieve our goal for our following year. Financially, it’s such a huge piece of VIU hockey.”

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VIU’s men’s hockey team has been in operation since 2017. The club won its first and only league title in 2017. (Image Credit: (Lance Daly))

About $120,000 is required to sustain the VIU men’s hockey program annually.

Dedicated student athletes are required to shell out $3,500 per season to play the game they love.

The team, in conjunction with the Nanaimo Tubbers old timers squad, are volunteering throughout the weekend to provide an enhanced player and spectator experience.

Several prize raffles, two 50/50 draws, and a beer garden at the NIC#1 upper mezzanine will be propping up a VIU men’s hockey program which operates with no university funding.

The annual tournament nets the team upwards of $15,000, Nowicki noted.

“Nobody takes a wage, not even our coaches. There’s nobody that gets paid. Every single penny goes right back to the players to make their season spectacular.”

While a majority of the Tubbers Hockey Tournament teams are local, about half a dozen are from out of town, including Lower Mainland clubs.

Divisions are separated in three skill categories (A,B,C), while a female division and over 40 grouping are also in place for the three-day event.

With nearly 300 players expected to participate in the Tubbers Hockey Tournament, Nowicki said all partners involved take pride in boosting the local economy.

“There should be a nice tourism feel to this thing. Hotel rooms are booked and restaurants will be full — it’ll be a great community event.”

The VIU Mariners men’s hockey team leads the five-team BC Intercollegiate Hockey League standings with a 15-2-0-1 record with playoffs right around the corner.

More information on the team, including the option of donating online, can be found here.

Recreational hockey games will be taking place throughout the weekend at Nanaimo Ice Centre. (Image Credit: (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW))

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