This weekend the Rome Youth Hockey Association will be hosting the largest tournament in our 50 year history. Twenty-eight teams in 3 different divisions will take part in the Roy Austin Mite Tournament. That brings 301 Mite Level children (8 and under) to the Bill Fleet Rink at the JFK Arena this weekend.
There will be a brief ceremony and puck drop on Saturday at 1:00 pm, with members of the Austin Family and Board, along with Mayor Joe Fusco. The Roy Austin Memorial Award will be awarded to an RYHA player at that time as well.
This tournament is named in honor of Roy Austin III, nicknamed, “ Peanut” to all who knew him.
Roy was a hard working individual with a huge heart, devoted friends, and a loving family. He worked part-time for the City of Rome, assigned to the Parks Department and his job included upkeep of Ken-nedy Arena. He was well known for keeping our bleachers, locker rooms, and warm up room spotless and loved cheering on the players and coaches of the Rome Youth Hockey Association, particularly those playing at the Mite level. Roy’s time with us was short, as he unexpect-edly passed away at the young age of 36 years old.
His heart stopped beating, but his memory and spirit is kept alive through the Roy H. Austin III Memorial Fund, which was established in 1997 by the Austin Family and Committee. The Rome Youth Hockey Association is grateful and honored that the Austin family continues to play a valuable role in the youth of the community. The Austin family was instrumental in the “Think Rink Renovation Project”, donating $20,000 exclusively for the naming rights of the beautiful warming room that Roy so genuinely cared for and maintained.
His family has also sponsored the “ Roy Austin III Sportsmanship Award” which is given to a Mite player who has shown courage and teamwork through his or her dedication and love for the game of hock-ey. The Rome Youth Hockey Association is grateful for the contribu-tions the Austin family has made in Roy’s honor.
Divisions are as follows:
Red Level:
Rome Youth Hockey Association
Clinton Youth Hockey Associtation
Elmira Jackels (Team 1)
Elmira Jackels (Team 2)
New Hartford Youth Hockey Association
Perinton Blades (Team 1)
Perinton Blades (Team 2)
Whitestown Youth Hockey Association
White Level:
Rome Youth Hockey Association (Team 1)
Rome Youth Hockey Association (Team 2)
Clinton Youth Hockey Association
Elmira Jackels (Team 1)
Elmira Jackels (Team 2)
Midstate Youth Hockey Association (Team 1)
Midstate Youth Hockey Association (Team 2)
New Hartford Youth Hockey Association
Valley Youth Hockey Association
Whitestown Youth Hockey Association
Blue Level:
Rome Youth Hockey Association
Mohawk Valley Jr. Comets
Clinton Youth Hockey Association
CNY Bobcats
Elmira Jackels (Team 1)
Elmira Jackels (Team 2)
Whitestown Youth Hockey Association
Midstate Youth Hockey Association
New Hartford Youth Hockey Association
Valley Youth Hockey Association
