COVINGTON, Ky. — The Covington Street Hockey League has come a long way in the last few years. Executive Director Tim Acri said he grew up on the east coast and helped form a group of people in Covington area who want to shine a light on hockey. 

“When we first started, our first name ever was Hockey for Covington. The goal was to bring hockey to a town that just doesn’t have it,” Acri said.

On Saturday, music was blaring, and players around the area were teamed up to compete at Bubsfest at Barb Cook Park, a tournament that’s becoming a staple in the area.

“We started in 2018 and we’ve been playing ever since. A couple days a week, play three to four tournaments a year and this one is by far the biggest. We’ve turned it into a block party to invite people that don’t play hockey,” Acri said.

It’s a chance to play some hockey, watch people play some hockey, eat some food and enjoy some beverages. But this year’s Bubfest was a little more special. Acri said they dedicated a memorial stone — which sits right out front of the rink — to honor Kyle Wheeler, someone Acri said was a great guy who helped out the league and showed off his passion for hockey.

“He was super involved and, unfortunately, he left us too early. He was one of a kind for sure, and the bubs all loved him,” Acri said.

Moving forward, the rink is a place not just for players to compete on but it’s also a tribute to Wheeler. Acri said at the end of the day, this goes deeper than just a win in the rink.

“It’s really more about just getting the guys together,” Acri said.

Those with Covington Street Hockey League said they do more than just hold tournaments. They also want to teach younger generations about skating and the sport, and love to partake in community service events.