When Steamboat Spring’s Youth Hockey decided to change the name of their Oct. 31-Nov. 2 tournament it was because they wanted the weekend to be a special one.

The organization wanted to honor a special man that meant a great deal to youth hockey.
Jim Fournier served on the board of SSYHA and was the head of referees for many years. It was Jim who volunteered all his refs to donate their time to a youth tournament when it was needed. His dedication to the game of hockey was evident by the many stories that emanate from the mountains.

Whether he was opening his shop on Christmas Day, so the kids could get their brand new skates sharpened, or driving to northern Canada with a truck full of gear for the kids up there, he always tried to do what was best for the sport and youth hockey.

His Blades business supplied the town of Steamboat with equipment since 1994 and was one of his many passions. He kept a cooler by his door so you could leave your skates before or after hours for sharpening and pick them up at a later time. Everyone was greeted at Blades by Jim’s Dalmatians, Ref and Bubbles. They were his only employees. Though they didn’t do much, but greet, bark and lay on the chairs, they left a lasting impression.

His friend Tim Anderson described him as somewhat of a renaissance man, a Jack of all trades. Lucky for those in Steamboat that included hockey.

Back when the Steamboat Ice Arena was uncovered, he led the charge to shovel it off. Come Oct. 31 they won’t have to shovel the ice, but Jim will be remembered and honored through the Jim Fournier Memorial Tournament with the hopes that SSYHA can carry on a rich tradition of honoring youth hockey.