HISTORY
The annual MacPherson Tournament is a cherished tradition and a highly anticipated event in the St. Andrew’s school year. The tournament, a creation of retired teacher and first Hockey coach, Al Dunford, is one of the most respected and well-organized high school hockey tournaments in North America.
The first tournament in 1984 set the tone for the future. In the Friday night opening ceremony game held amid the pomp and tradition of the SAC Pipe & Drum Corps’ performance, the ceremonial dropping of the first puck, and the wildly cheering fans, St. Andrew’s defeated the fabled Hounds of Notre Dame 5-4 in overtime.
The tournament has had a truly North American flavour, hosting schools from Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Québec, Saskatchewan, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania as well as a variety of regions in Ontario.
At the outset, naming the tournament and the divisions was not difficult. Three Andreans – Lloyd MacPherson,
Jim Hamilton ’33, and Bob Meagher – devoted many years to St. Andrew’s College and its goals and traditions. While their love of things Andrean was legendary, hockey was their passion.
Mr. MacPherson was Assistant to the Headmaster from 1957 to 1982 and was regarded as the standard bearer for our Scottish traditions. After his retirement in 1982, Mr. MacPherson returned to his beloved Nova Scotia. He passed away in March 1988.
Mr. Hamilton graduated from SAC in 1933, served as President of the Association, and in 1965 joined the St. Andrew’s College staff as Executive Director of the SAC Foundation. Under his leadership, the School added the McLaughlin Science Building and the Bedard Athletic Complex. Mr. Hamilton passed away in November 1989 and the 1990 tournament was played in his memory.
Dr. Meagher brought a strong academic background to SAC when he was appointed Academic Head of the Lower School in 1972. Until his retirement from the College in 1987, Dr. Meagher was an ardent supporter of life in the Lower School — Mac House, the Under 14 Hockey team, as well as friend and advisor to many young boys who were just beginning life away from home. In 1987, Dr. Meagher was appointed an Ontario Citizenship Court Judge. He passed away in June 2000.
Past Winners
| Year |
Gold Medal |
Silver Medal |
Bronze Medal |
| 2024 |
St. Andrew's College |
Bishop Kearney Selects |
Northwood School |
| 2023 |
GOJHL U18 |
Northwood School |
St. Andrew's College |
| 2022 |
Shattuck St. Mary's |
Northwood School |
Culver Academies |
| 2020 |
Shattuck St. Mary's |
St. Andrew's College |
Northwood School |
| 2019 |
St. Andrew's College |
Shattuck-St. Mary's |
Salisbury School |
| 2018 |
Edge School |
Jungadler Mannheim |
Seacoast Prep |
| 2017 |
Northwood School |
St. Andrew's College |
Edge School |
| 2016 |
Northwood School |
St. Andrew's College |
Albany Academy |
| 2015 |
Buffalo Jr. Sabres |
Northwood School |
St. Andrew's College |
| 2014 |
St. Andrew's College |
Cégep de Ste-Foy |
Cégep de Thetford |
| 2013 |
St. Andrew's College |
Upper Canada College |
Northwood School |
| 2012 |
Stanstead College |
Upper Canada College |
St. Andrew's College |
| 2011 |
St. Andrew's College |
Gilmour Academy |
St. Francis High School |
| 2010 |
Appleby College |
Gilmour Academy |
St. Andrew's College |
| 2009 |
Gilmour Academy |
St. Francis High School |
Edge School |
| 2008 |
Gilmour Academy |
St. Andrew's College |
St. Francis High School |
| 2007 |
St. Andrew’s College |
Edge School |
Upper Canada College |
| 2006 |
Northwood School |
St. Andrew’s College |
St. Francis High School |
| 2005 |
St. Andrew’s College |
Northwood School |
St. Francis High School |
| 2004 |
Upper Canada College |
National Sports Academy |
St. Andrew’s College |
| 2003 |
Upper Canada College |
Gilmour Academy |
IMG Academy |
| 2002 |
Upper Canada College |
Mount Carmel Secondary School |
National Sports Academy |
| 2001 |
Mount Carmel Secondary School |
Upper Canada College |
St. Andrew's College |
| 2000 |
St. Charles College, Sudbury |
St. Francis High School |
St. Andrew's College |
| 1999 |
St. Andrew's College |
St. Charles College |
Ridley College |
| 1998 |
St. Andrew's College |
Trinity College School |
St. Thomas Aquinas |
| 1997 |
St. Charles College |
St. Andrew's College |
Nichols School |
| 1996 |
St. Andrew's College |
Dunbarton, Pickering |
Trinity College School |
| 1995 |
Upper Canada College |
Shattuck-St. Mary's (MN) |
St. Charles College |
| 1994 |
Nichols School |
St. Andrew's College |
St. Charles College |
| 1993 |
St. Andrew's College |
Nichols School |
Scollard Hall, North Bay |
| 1992 |
St. Charles College |
St. Andrew's College |
Upper Canada College |
| 1991 |
St. Charles College |
Nichols School |
St. Andrew's College |
| 1990 |
Nichols School |
Saunders Secondary |
Oromocto High School |
| 1989 |
Nichols School |
Monarch Park, Toronto |
Notre Dame du Foy |
| 1988 |
Notre Dame du Foy |
Nichols School |
St. Andrew's College |
| 1987 |
Nichols School |
Lionel Groulx |
Notre Dame du Foy |
| 1986 |
Nichols School |
Cranbrook School |
Notre Dame Hounds |
| 1985 |
Nichols School |
St. Andrew's College |
Notre Dame Hounds |
| 1984 |
New Hampton School |
St. Andrew's College |
Notre Dame Hounds |
