Chase Brewster's mother Karrie-Anne, is pictured with 11-year-old nephew Gavin Rosenkranz, who is playing in his first Chase Brewster Memorial Hockey Tournament. Gavin's cousin Chase passed away in 2010. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

"He's my hero"

Hockey community says goodbye to Chase Brewster Memorial Tournament

Feb 8, 2020 | 3:53 PM

A fixture on the Red Deer calendar for 10 years now, the Chase Brewster Memorial Peewee Hockey Tournament is being played this weekend for the final time.

In 2010, at the age of 12, Gateway Christian student Chase Brewster died suddenly, and since then his family and a dedicated team of volunteers have put on the tourney in his honour as a means of coping.

Each year, funds raised help upwards of 50 families who are spending time at Ronald McDonald House, be it for a newborn experiencing complications, or a teenager with mental health struggles.

Karrie-Anne Brewster, Chase’s mom, admits it’s extra emotional for her, husband Steve, and their children Morgann and Hunter knowing this is the last tournament.

“It was a goal to have my nephew play in it; that was motivation to get to year 10,” she says. “It’s very humbling what everybody does for us with putting on this tournament, but it does take a lot of emotion.”

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With Chase’s friends all being in their early 20s, the tournament’s committee decided it would be better to carry on the memorial fund in a different manner.

Special socks are being worn this weekend by teams playing in the Chase Brewster Memorial Hockey Tournament. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“Chase’s friends signed these jerseys we have here when they were all 11 and 12; they’re coming back this weekend, and at the closing ceremonies, they’re all getting their jerseys back,” says Brewster. “Having those boys around; there aren’t words, but we’re very fortunate to have the community that we do.”

As for the legacy of Chase, who was a goalie, teams are remembering him this weekend by wearing special memorial socks. There are also three words the family remembers him by: courage, character and perseverance.

“He was a card; absolutely hilarious on and off the ice, and he was contagious for people to be around. He was just a humble, kind kid,” Brewster remembers. “We’re so lucky because we hear now what we call ‘Chase stories’ from parents who share how he was, and I never realized what he was like in the dressing room. He’s my hero.”

The closing ceremonies take place Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Kinsmen Arenas (5 McIntosh Ave.).

More information on the Chase Brewster Memorial Fund is at ChaseBrewster.com.