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“Honor the Game” Tournament Announced

By Minnesota Hockey, 10/16/19, 2:15PM CDT

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Peewee Tournament Will Focus on Sportsmanship and Leadership on the Ice and in the Stands

Minnesota Hockey, in partnership with InterContinental St. Paul and Positive Coaching Alliance - Minnesota,announced the creation of the first “Honor the Game” Peewee A Hockey Tournament, November 1 – 3 at TRIA Rink in St. Paul. The “Honor the Game” Tournament will offer a unique twist to the standard youth sports tournament with a focus on sportsmanship and camaraderie practiced by players, coaches and most prominently, spectators.

The tournament will feature eight Peewee A hockey teams – Armstrong-Cooper, Anoka, Bloomington Jefferson, Cambridge-Isanti, Le Sueur-St. Peter, New Ulm-Sleepy Eye, St. Michael-Albertville and St. Paul Capitals – in a round robin tournament with the goal of winning the championship. However, the tournament will be unique in what is required of spectators of each game, as an emphasis is put on respecting and honoring those who make the game possible including the players, coaches and officials.

  • During the entirety of each team’s first two games, parents and fans of both teams will sit together, as opposed to each team’s fans on one side of the arena.
  • Prior to each team’s game, parents from both teams will take part in a pregame handshake.
  • Prior to the beginning of each game, the game’s head official will address the teams and the crowd to explain why he or she chose to become a youth hockey official and will be doing their absolute best while acknowledging mistakes may be made.
  • A player from each team will be recognized for exceptional sportsmanship and leadership and will be named an “Honor the Game” captain.

“Too often we hear or see stories of bad behavior, especially by adults at youth sporting events,” said Minnesota Hockey Program Manager, Mike Terwilliger. “The goal of the Honor the Game tournament is to make a small statement that actions at these events matter, and establishing relationships between parents, coaches and officials can only help the culture of youth sports. We hope these small requirements at this tournament reminds everyone that the players and the parents of the opponent are not the ‘bad guys or girls,’ and that the games aren’t possible without officials who deserve to be treated with respect for all that they do.”

Playing a major role in hosting the tournament is Positive Coaching Alliance – Minnesota, which is a non-profit organization striving to create “Better Athletes, Better People.” The principles on display at the Honor the Game Tournament provide a glimpse of what PCA workshops provide to youth and high school sports organizations to improve the culture of youth sports, and to create leaders. Working with PCA, over the years, Minnesota Hockey has provided over $35,000  in grants to encourage association to partner with PC to conduct parent, coach and player workshops.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this one-of-a-kind event,” said PCA Minnesota Executive Director, Troy Pearson. “We believe that when it comes to changing the negative perception of youth sports parenting, actions are what will make the difference. Our hope is that these actions are the start of something that parents and coaches will embrace as their sons and daughters continue on in youth sports.”

The Honor the Game tournament is presented by Minnesota Hockey’s newest partner, InterContinental Hotel in St. Paul. InterContinental is the preferred hotel of Minnesota Hockey for all events held at TRIA Rink in St. Paul.

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