Hockey and Carnaval
- Québecois-style

Here's one Canadian younster's view of Québec City during Carnaval - a week he'll never forget.

Many Canadians complain about a mid-winter phenomenon known as the February blahs, an ailment characterized by acute depression, boredom, lack of interest and an almost maniacal hatred of winter weather conditions. But this malady is unheard in Québec City. Québécois look forward to February's arrival with eager anticipation, for February means merriment and festivity in the form on Canada's largest outdoor winter event - Carnaval!

The International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament is is a major part of the winter carnival in Québec City involving hundreds of 12-year-old hockey players from all over Canada and the United States. During Carnaval, Québec's Coliseum is host to thousands of spectators, avid hockey fans who come out to see some of the nation's most talented young hockey players competing for the honour of being named winners of the Tournoi international. For 12-year-old youngstes it can be a heady experience.

Sixteen-year old Brian Hunt remembers Québec fondly. His Richmond Hill, Ontario, Pee-Wee hockey team participated in the 23rd annual Tournoi internationl de hockey Pee-Wee in the winter of 1982, and the team came home a winner.

"Our coaches spent the whole season getting us geared up for Québec. For starters, we had to clear the trip with our teachers well in advance so that we could take homework with us. And we had extra training sessions so we would be in top physical condition by February."

Brian's fond memories stem from much more than simply coming back home with the winning trophy. Québec hospitality and aura of excitement that is part of Carnaval are things that Brian and his teammates will never forget.

"The whole thing was top-notch. I was a bit worried at first, because my billet - the family I stayed with - didn't speak very much English. I had to get by with my faltering Frenchm but that part of it ended up being fun and my spoken French really improved.

"We spent a lot of time outside at different carnival events, too. The ice sculptures were really something to see. One entire street was lined, both sides, with animals, people, cars and cartoon characters, all made of ice and snow. And there was a gigantic ice slide more than 300 metres long that was a very popular attraction. The canoe race on the St. Lawrence River was something that really surprised me - I had never heard of boating in sub-zero weather.

"The river was full of ice floes, and each time a canoe found one in its path the passengers had to jump out onto the ice and drag their canoe over it, then scramble back into the boat and start paddling again. The idea didn't appeal much to me, but it sure was exciting to watch.

"Pin-trading was a part of the carnival that you really had to see to believe. Grown men wearnig scarves and jackets completely covered in souvenir pins were always at the Coliseum wanting to make trades. One man wore a jacket that must have been worth a thousand dollars, it had so many pins on it. Our coaches had been to Québec before and they knew all about this part of it, so we were prepared. Before we left Richmond Hill, we were each given several pins made especially for the Québec tournament, to use for trading. I still have one - I wouldn't trade it for anything - and I brought home some great pins from towns I'll probably never visit in my life.

"The hockey was the best part, though. The Coliseum is a huge arena; the Québec Nordiques playtheir home games there, so it had to be a good size. You can imagine what it was like skating out there for the first time, to the tune of a special song playing over the sound system.

"Viva les Pee-Wee du carnaval was played each time two teams skated out to warm up for their game. I'll never forget that tune. And the stands were full. We just couldn't believe that all these people had actually come to watch us play! But the most amazing thing was the kids - our own age and younger - who would push and shove and line up to ask us for our autographs. We felt like real celebrities. I don't think I'll ever experience that feeling again as long as I live.

"I think the people in Québec are going to remember the Richmond Hill team for a long time, and not just because we won our division of the tournament. We had this special little thing we used to do between periods that seemed to attract a lot of attention. Instead of sitting of the bench like most teams, we laid down on the ice surface with our feet in the air, legs resting against the boards. Then the coach would walk along the line of us, handing out sections of oranges to replenish our energy. It must have looked pretty funny to the crowd, but it was a good way to rest up and it certainly was unique.

"I guess 'unique' is a good word to sum up the whole Québec experience. It'something I'll never forget - it's too bad every 12-year-old couldn't have the same opportunity. That's not possible, I know, because not every 12-year-old plays hockey. But, if I ever have kids of my own, I sure hope they get the chance to play in the Québec Winter Carnival Hockey Tournament. It's the chance of a lifetime!"