A decade of legacy: Pat Quinn Classic hits 10-year milestone in Burnaby
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Sport Burnaby is proudly celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Pat Quinn Classic minor hockey tournament. This premier international-calibre event honours the legacy of the legendary player, coach, and manager, Pat Quinn.
“We have been a part of the Pat Quinn Classic since day 1 in 2015,” explains Robyn Hughes, director of Sport Burnaby. “Reaching this 10-year tournament milestone is the result of long-standing partnerships with local sport, civic and business partners throughout the city. We want to express our sincerest appreciation to everyone who works so hard every year to deliver a top tournament experience for all participants.”
Sport Burnaby, under the umbrella of Tourism Burnaby, holds the tournament rights. Partners and supporters include the Burnaby Minor Hockey Association (BMHA), Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society and the City of Burnaby and Sport Burnaby. The Burnaby Winter Club is a valued contributor to this event. Inside Edge Hockey delivers the tournament’s hockey operations.
A storied history in Burnaby
The tradition of a late December minor hockey tournament has been a fixture on Burnaby’s sports calendar since 1962, making it one of the longest-running events of its kind globally.
Originally organized by the BMHA, the tournament was relaunched in 2015 with a new vision, renaming it to honour Pat Quinn’s legacy while celebrating the event’s proud history. The BMHA continues to host the event. With the tournament’s focus on athletics, academic excellence and community leadership, the Pat Quinn Classic solidifies Burnaby’s reputation as a key city in hockey development.
“For more than six decades, teams know that Burnaby is the place to be in December for a great hockey competition and to celebrate excellence in the sport,” says Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley. “I am so pleased to see how the tournament is flourishing under Pat Quinn’s name and I congratulate all the teams, organizers and fans for creating a wonderful atmosphere every year.”
Global Competition
The 2025 tournament continues to draw international interest. This year, a U13 team from Burnaby’s sister city of Kushiro, Japan, is scheduled to compete. This follows the 2023 tournament, which welcomed a team from Denmark—the first from Europe to participate.
The 2025 Pat Quinn Classic runs from December 27 to 31, featuring 55 teams competing across eight divisions, from Female U11 to Integrated U17. While Burnaby venues remain the tournament’s hub, games will also be played in Delta and Surrey this year.
Click here for more information about the tournament.
Story by Sam Corea
Photos by Looma Media
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