Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre was abuzz with something pretty special over the Christmas break.

The first Annual Cystic Fibrosis Strong Cup 3 on 3 Hockey Tournament was the highlight of the week, bringing players and families in from all over Southern Alberta to play in this very important event.

Jenna and Tyler Dillon, along with their son Seamus organized this event to bring much needed awareness and funds for research for Cystic Fibrosis. The Dillon’s 10-month-old daughter Georgia was diagnosed with CF at two weeks old, so this was a very important event for them.

They raised $13,470.00 for the three-day tournament. Many local businesses donated services, prizes for the raffle draws, or financial support. Jenna Dillon, says the support from the community has been overwhelming. 

"The hockey community is amazing. They were there, wanting to help in any way they could. It got to a point we had to turn away volunteers, because so many people wanted to help."

The Nash's Nighthawks were the tournament champions. The Nighthawks got their name from a younger champion named Nash Chapin, a 4-year-old Cochrane boy who also has CF.  After the Nighthawks won the cup, Nash was given a VIP pass to go back into the dressing room and meet his 'team', where he was presented with a CF Strong Cup jersey signed by the Nighthawks, and a bobble head trophy. Chantal Chapin, Nash's mother said even though Nash was a little overwhelmed at the time, he hasn't stopped talking about it since.

"He had to wear his jersey the next day to play hockey at Mitford Pond and has been wearing it to bed every night."

The Dillon family wants to send a special mention to Ducks on the Roof, Spartan Hockey Development, SLSFSC, Cochrane Referee Assciation and to Cochrane Awards and Promotions for their sponsorship, along with all the other contributors. 

The CF Strong Cup will be back in full force next year.