Two teams from the CCM High Performance Youth 16U Tier 1 League are set to begin competition in the inaugural Fall Classic West Youth Tournament. The tournament will be held in Omaha, NE on September 9-11 in coordination with the USHL’s Fall Classic West, which serves as a pre-season showcase for all eight teams in the USHL’s Western Conference.

“Many of the top players from Minnesota eventually play in the USHL so we’re excited to offer them a firsthand view of that experience,” said Charlie Graves, Program Director for the Youth 16U Tier 1 League. “We’re looking forward to providing our players the opportunity to compete against some of the top players in the country.”

The youth tournament will feature 16 of the top Midget Minor (16U) teams in the country. A total of 40 players were selected from the Youth 16U Tier 1 League to participate on the two teams that will represent Minnesota at the event. Minnesota HP Maroon will be led by Jeff Humble and Todd Karich will lead the bench for Minnesota HP Blue. 

Each team has been placed into a pool of four teams and will play all three opponents in its group, collecting points based on wins, overtime wins and overtime losses. The top teams in each group will then advance to the Semifinals, while the other teams will compete in one last game for final standings. The championship will be determined with a final game, while final standings 3-16 will be determined by final points earned based upon records.

All games will take place at Baxter Arena, home of the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks, and Ralston Arena, home of the Omaha Lancers. In addition to the on-ice competition, participating youth players will have complimentary access to all USHL games at the Fall Classic West and a Mavericks practice.

 “This represents the USHL’s first-ever foray into the youth tournament realm,” said President and Commissioner Bob Fallen. “Top organizations from all over the country will compete against one another and be exposed to the largest gathering of NCAA and USHL scouts in the nation. Providing these fine young players and their parents the opportunity to see our on-ice product up close and in person is also very valuable to our league because it shows them what the highest level of junior hockey looks like.”

Click here for a full game schedule.

The CCM High Performance Youth Tier 1 16U League is an extension of the Minnesota Elite Prep Development League (MEPDL).  The MEPDL was started eight seasons ago in cooperation between Minnesota Hockey and Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association to provide the best underclassmen in Minnesota an opportunity to develop their skills while competing against each other. This year the league will consist of six Youth Tier 1 16U (2000 birth year) teams and four 18U (non-Tier 1) teams, formed geographically by modified high school Section boundaries.