Brett Sutter awarded ‘Key to Viking’ after 11th annual Brettzky’s tournament surpasses $500k raised

By Patricia Harcourt, Editor, The Weekly Review

The 2026 Brettzky Hockey Challenge, in its eleventh year, was another landmark event with its four days of on-ice action at the Viking Carena Complex.

The hockey took place from Thursday, Aug. 6 to its climax finals on Sunday, Aug. 9.

This year was a landmark one as the Brettzky has now raised over half a million dollars during its 11-year run for the community’s groups and organizations.

“It was another successful weekend of hockey and community spirit while raising money for our community,” says organizer Todd Ritchie.

The 2026 A Event winners were Le Bandits, who clinched their team’s first Brettzky Championship by defeating AGI Wild Rose 8-7.

The B Final went to the Gassed Kings by defeating the Thomas Lakers 10-4. This was the third Brettzky trophy for the Gassed Kings since the inception of the tournament.

Brettzky consisted of a week-long list of activity beginning with a successful and sold-out four-day Brettzky Hockey Camp. It was followed by the Brettzky’s Hockey Challenge Men’s Rec Hockey Tournament.

The hockey camp was attended by over 200 young players aged 5-17. Ritchie said the camp “is subsidized heavily by the Brettzky Hockey Challenge,” which keeps entry fees affordable for participants.

This year, there were 12 teams at the Brettzky tournament featuring 175 players performing four-on-four hockey.

“All the money raised in the Brettzky’s Hockey Challenge goes directly to organizations involved in youth sports and activities, as well as organizations which contribute to the wellness of the Viking community,” said Ritchie.

But this year, he added that a ‘major milestone was achieved in 2026.”

The Brettzky Hockey Challenge celebrated the surpassing of $500,000 in donations to local organizations over its 11 years.

“This tremendous achievement was celebrated at the annual Brettzky Banquet when Viking Mayor Paul King presented Brettzky founder Brett Sutter with a symbolic ‘Key to the Town of Viking,’” said Ritchie.

He added: “The Brettzky Organizing Committee would like to express our appreciation to the Viking community for continuing to support the Brettzky by volunteering, supporting, attending and purchasing merchandise.

“It takes the whole community to put on an event like the Brettzky and the support is outstanding,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, planning is already underway for next year’s events.

“Mark your calendars,” he said, as the dates are already set for 2027: Brettzky’s Hockey Camp will run Aug. 2-5, and the Brettzky’s Hockey Challenge Aug. 5-8 for next year.

“We’ll see you then,” he said.

Read the rest of this story and much more in the August 12 edition of The Weekly Review! Check out the E-Edition (here). Never miss an issue, become a subscriber today!