Sanctioned by the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, the Big Nickel Tournament was initiated in 1980 as a means to showcase local hockey talent while raising funds for the Sudbury Minor Hockey Association and other local charities.

At its peak, the tournament attracted as many as 76 teams in three age groups focussing primarily on the major division.  In 2017, the tournamaent expanded its reach to include U12, U14 & U16 divisions.

The Big Nickel is 100% volunteer driven and all funds raised from the tournament are donated to the minor hockey and other local charities in the region.

The Executive is led by chair Barry McCrory who has over six decades of minor hockey experience. The tournament's treasurer is Dave Makela, a Laurentian University SPAD graduate who has been a part of the Big Nickel executive committee since 1986. Directors Greg Pagan, Linda McCrory, Grant Trayner and new recruits Tammy Simpson, Joe McColeman and Gus Lescault combine their public sector and minor hockey expertise with a love of Canada's national pastime to round out a highly knowledgeable tournament management team.