The Stanley Cup will soon be the coveted prize that 16 NHL teams will be chasing - but for the countless friends and close family connections of Miguel Beites, the "Miggy Cup" was surely a thousand times more important.

With just a few months of effort to pull everything together, a very devoted group organized the inaugural single-day fun hockey tournament last Friday in Azilda, with folks coming from far and wide to attend.

All of this - and so much more to come - to honour the memory of the 40 year-old member of the championship winning Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats (NOJHL) squad and father of three children who are already making plenty of noise on the local sports scene.

"It all started with a conversation with my brother-in-law (Darcy Beites) wanting to do something to honour his brother," explained Marie-Soleil Beites, spouse/soulmate/best friend to the local man who lost his battle with cancer last August.

"The idea was not just about one tournament."

And so became the start of a foundation that very quickly garnered overwhelming support - with the roughly $50,000 in funds raised this year being donated to the NOFCC (Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer) - and more charities to follow in the years ahead.

Blessed with the involvement of the next generation of Beites family talent (Mateo/Mia/Mikaelle), best friend John Michael Bray and the always-supportive couple that are Todd and Natalie Allair, Marie-Soleil and Darcy and Andrea Beites and a collection of more than 30 volunteers coordinated an event that proved to be a testament to the man whose life and memory it celebrated.

"Because Miguel and I were friends since grade nine, we had many of the same friends," said Marie-Soleil, addressing the incredible turnout. "But the number of people who came from out of town, that was a surprise to me."

Perhaps not quite so much to John Michael Bray, a childhood friend from the age of four, one of the constant companions through the multitude of post-school ball hockey and baseball games, blessed with one of those relationships that holds firm even as life meanders to and fro.

"When I was with Miguel, all of the world's troubles went away," he said. "He was able to make sense of everything and able to put me at ease - and I would like to think I did that for him, as well."

"It was that kind of friendship that no matter what was going on in our lives, when I saw him and he saw me, it was laughter and stories. We felt confident to navigate whatever life was throwing at us when we were in each other's company."

"It was a friendship that withstood the test of time," summarized Bray.

To those that knew him well, there was a charisma, even within a man who could be quite private, in his own way. In the company of others, the appeal was evident.

"Miguel was what we would refer to in French as a "Bon Vivant"; he loved life; he loved being with people; he loved a good party," suggested Bray. "Miguel had a draw to him that drew a lot of people in - and I think this event is a testimony to that."

"There are people here, people that are excited to be here, people that hadn't seen him in years."

People with countless connections to hockey and sport and Miguel Beites.

"The same guys who played with Miguel in Rayside are now out there, playing against our son (Matteo)," said Marie-Soleil, referencing the action and laughter on the ice.

"I am sure he is smiling down because this has brought so many people together that he loved and connected with," said Bray.

Few connected more with Miguel than his younger brother, though love is demonstrated in very different ways in one's youth.

"I always laugh and say that I was my brother's human punching bag," said Darcy, recalling the early days. "When you're the younger brother, you're always looking up to your older brother. As we grew older, we grew very close."

"We were business partners, not only running my father's business but also starting two businesses on our own."

Many many a business owner enjoys the public prominence that so often accompanies this career path, such wasn't the case for Miguel Beites.

"Migs and I always did a lot of work with charities, donating to a lot of causes," said Darcy. "Migs was the type who did not want any recognition for a lot of the stuff. It's funny - I want to keep his memory alive but at the same time, he really didn't want the recognition."

"He just wanted to go to work and then come home and be with his family and follow his kids in sports. That was his thing."

For as much as the fundraising efforts were a key part of the event, there were ancillary benefits that might not have even crossed the mind, initially, of the Miggy Cup organizers.

"Not only were we raising money for a good cause, but of lot of the people who were there hadn't seen each other in five, six, seven years," noted Darcy. "It was a nice reunion, to a certain degree."

Miggy Cup - Mission and Vision: "The purpose of the Miggy Cup is to recognize Miguel as a man and his contribution to the community - and to continue his legacy"

In His Own Words: "Life and love are worth fighting for and whatever obstacles are in your way, you can and will find a way to battle on"

Final Words - Marie-Soleil Beites: "Miguel was a true warrior until his very last breath. Our three kids and I are reminded constantly of his unconditional love for us, to appreciate and be thankful for every little moment in life, to fight for the people you love, to surround yourself with nature, sports and positive people and to remain hopeful even when the unbearable happens."

"Through his actions, his thoughts and his words, he was truly an inspiring person and he will continue to inspire our family and our community for the rest of our lives. The Miggy Cup is a tribute to his unwavering courage and perseverance to remain positive in very difficult situations and his love and contribution to our community."

Anyone wishing to make a donation to this cause can logon to the NOFCC website and simply scroll down to the middle section where the Miggy Cup logo is situated