Oyster River holiday hockey tournament honors two lives lost: 'This means so much'

DURHAM — For the past 10 years, boys hockey teams from all over New England have come together and played at the Whittemore Center in remembrance of Todd Heuchling and Brian Swift — two former Oyster River High School boys hockey players whose lives were cut short.

Swift fought bone cancer and died at the age of 15.

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Heuchling, who helped Oyster River to two soccer state championships and played hockey for the Bobcats, passed away in 2003 at the age of 19 while he was training for the marathon team at West Point Military Academy.

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Nine years later, in 2012, the Oyster River hockey community wanted to honor the two and established the Heuchling and Swift Memorial Classic.  Now, going into it's 11th year, the tournament is better than ever.

“I’ve gotten to know both families, they’re super supportive and always come to the tournament every year,” Oyster River High School athletic director Andy Lathrop said.

For Todd's parents, Robert and Sally Heuchling, the tournament gives them a chance to take a trip down "memory lane," remember their son, and recall the days when he played at Oyster River.

"There always will be a hole that is never going to be filled," Robert said. "This tournament means so much to us. It's a tremendous tribute (for Todd). It helps, not only us remember him, but also his friends. It’s been a long time (since Todd passed), and most of his friends have moved on, but I am sure there are some who are still aware of this tournament. This gives them a chance and a moment to think about their time with Todd, and all the fun they had."

Robert Heuchling was the Oyster River girls tennis coach when Lathrop was hired as AD.

“I have a special relationship with (Robert Heuchling) and have gotten to know him over the years,” Lathrop said. “This tournament is a nice way to honor the memory of those boys that mean so much to the Oyster River community.”

This year’s six teams include Marshwood, Oyster River, Portsmouth/Newmarket, as well as Keene, Martha’s Vineyard (Massachusetts) High School and Trumbull (Connecticut) High School.

“The Heuchling & Swift Memorial Classic is a chance to welcome some out-of-state hockey teams to Durham, and to honor Todd Heuchling and Brian Swift,” Oyster River head coach Peter Harwood said. “We look forward to hosting five excellent hockey programs from Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut and New Hampshire.”

Martha's Vineyard has been in the tournament each year and has won the event twice, the last one coming in 2019. Head coach Matt Mincone wants to win the tournament for the third time, but understands the true meaning of the event.

"The tournament has a really good sportsmanship feel to it along with memorializing those two players," said Mincone, Martha's Vineyard coach for the past 25 years. "I've had some players I have lost over the years myself; this tournament always scratches that surface a little bit to remember (those boys) around the holidays."

Mincone said he learns a little bit more about both Heuchling and Swift with each visit to Durham.

"That's always nice to hear more," he said. "I know why we're going there, but I also know it's honoring the lives of a couple of their former players."

Martha's Vineyard athletic director Mark McCarthy says he appreciates the great relationship his school and Oyster River has developed over the years.

"Our kids enjoy getting three quality games every year at this tournament," "McCarthy said.

The four-day tournament, which runs Tuesday, Dec. 27 through Friday, Dec. 30, will have two three-three team divisions.

Marshwood, Oyster River and Trumbull are in the Heuchling Divison, and Keene, Trumbull and Portsmouth/Newmarket make up the Swift Division.

The two first-place teams in each division will play for the championship on Friday.

“Portsmouth is always excited to play in this tournament,” Portsmouth head coach Joel Brown said. “Playing teams from other states is always fun for the players. We are also aware of who the tournament is in memory of, and we’re glad we are invited every year.”

Oyster River will play Marshwood on Tuesday (8:30 p.m.) and Trumbull on Wednesday (8:30 p.m.).

Portsmouth/Newmarket will play Keene on Tuesday (6 p.m.) and Martha’s Vineyard on Thursday (5 p.m.).

Marshwood, along with its first game against Oyster River on Tuesday, will play Trumbull on Thursday (7:30 p.m.).

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Oyster River hockey hosts Heuchling and Swift Memorial Classic