BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres announced that registration is now open for Street HockeyFest 2016. The popular street hockey tournament is sponsored by Pure Hockey and Hockey Giant and is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 21.
The one-day tournament, which is being held for the 15th year, will take place on the surface parking lots between Mississippi and Columbia streets (across from Lagerhaus 95 restaurant, one block east of the arena). Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and games start promptly at 9 a.m.
The tournament is open to boys and girls 17-and-under at a cost of $150 per team. Each team will consist of up to five players and will be guaranteed at least three games in the all-day, rain-or-shine event. Every player will also receive a Street HockeyFest T-shirt and hat. Free parking is available for all participants and spectators in the First Niagara Center parking ramp. Trophies will be awarded to the champions of each division.
Registration will close on Monday, Aug. 8 at 5 p.m. or when registration is full. Teams can visit Sabres.com to register and download the waiver form. For questions, contact the Street HockeyFest hotline at (716) 855-4144.
Games will be played 3-on-3 plus a goaltender and one optional substitute. Participants are responsible for bringing their own equipment, including sneakers, hockey sticks and gloves. Goaltender equipment is mandatory. Additional protective gear is optional, but recommended.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase throughout the event and the Sabres Store will be open all day, giving fans a chance to stop in for big summer savings.
Teams will be divided into divisions determined by gender and age/birth year as outlined by 2016-17 USA Hockey age classifications. Microns and Mites must be under adult supervision at all times and all players 12-and-under (Pee Wee and younger) are required to wear a helmet during games. Helmets will not be provided.
Divisions are as follows:
Boys:
· Microns 6 & under: 2009 and later
· Mites 8 & under: 2008
· Squirts 10 & under: 2006, 2007
· Pee Wee 12 & under: 2004, 2005
· Bantam 14 & under: 2002, 2003
· Midget 16 & under: 2000
· Midget 17 & under: 1999
Girls:
· 17 & under (1999)
· 15 & under (2001)
· 13 & under (2003)
· 11 & under (2005)
· 8 & under (2008)
If minimum number of teams per division is not met, certain divisional play may be canceled.
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TSG Enterprises, LLC is the parent company of Pure Hockey, Hockey Giant, ComLax, and Pure Goalie, and is currently in its 22nd year of operation. With the acquisition of Hockey Giant in 2015, TSG became the largest specialty hockey equipment retailer in the U.S., with 32 stores currently in operation across the country. The stores range in size from 5,000 to 25,000 square feet. TSG opened a new Hockey Giant retail store in Cheektowaga in December 2015 to complement the existing Pure Hockey store in Amherst, and most recently opened a new Pure Hockey retail store in Smithtown, N.Y. in June 2016.
