Second Annual Devon Thompson Memorial Slash The Stigma Tournament

Though the Ice Dawgs had a break this past weekend, there was still plenty of hockey action at the Valley Event Center for the second annual Devon Thompson Memorial Slash the Stigma tournament, Feb. 2-4. A total of 11 teams, divided into three divisions, were sponsored by local businesses and with teams comprised of a variety of age brackets.

The team 2 Diggers, sponsored by 2 Diggers, comprised of Dillon Hughes, Peyton Smith, Colter Barnett, Bode Barnett, Kent Hubbard, Jake Engstrom and Elizabeth Nyquist, won first place in the A Division, while the team Dangleberries, sponsored by Blend 10, comprised of Brandon Guhy, Tim Padden, JR Rasmussen and Tory Rasmussen, Evan Blind, Roger Hystad and Tyana Synan, won first place in the B/C Division.

The players in the Bantam division, which included the teams "The Dust Pans," sponsored by Schuh Construction and Mavencamp Farms, and "The Slashers," sponsored by Cherry Creek Aesthetics, Eugenes and Pipers, were comprised of Ice Dawgs Squirts and Bantams. The Slashers team of Ian Anderson, Abigail Henry, Ellery DeDobbeleer, Shelton Johannesen and Carter Holte, won all three of their games against "The Dust Pans," of Orion Henry, Breckin Partridge, Tay Morehouse, Liam Allen and Shane Johannesen.

In addition to purchasing raffle tickets, bidding on silent auction items, purchasing swag and rooting for the players, those who attended also had the opportunity to leave their mark. Local artists Cathryn McIntrye had a table in the upstairs of the Event Center allowing attendees to paint a rock that will be placed at her Hands of Hope Mural in downtown Glasgow, at the back of the Glasgow City County Library.

The inaugural tournament was in 2023, where Thompson's mom, Brandi, sister Jordan, with the support of the Thompson family, the community and the Valley C.A.R.E. Coalition put this tournament together as a way to bring mental health into the forefront of conversations.

Devon, who passed away in October 2021, at the age of 21, as a result of suicide, loved hockey and softball. Six months after her passing, sister Jordan wanted to do something in her honor while also bringing awareness to mental health. Two years later the thought came into fruition and both Brandi and Jordan could not believe the outpouring of love and support they have received throughout the course of the past few years.

Though final totals of how much the event raised was not available as of press time, the C.A.R.E. Coalition stated, "We can't express enough thanks to the players, volunteers, donors and sponsors, Cat McIntyre and Thompson family for making the second annual Slash the Stigma Tournament such as huge success. Countless hours get poured into this three-day tournament and it truly wouldn't be possible without everyone."