USA Hockey/Labatt Blue

[GSHL99 0]

Just wondering if anyone has ever been to one of the USA Hockey Labatt Blue Adult Classics and what your experience was like as well as general thoughts and opinions on the tourny?

[joshy207 15]

I took my team to the Columbus tourney last May. We had a blast. Rink was very nice, they give you a case of beer for each game, the tourney is well organized. We found a great deal on hotel rooms, pitched in and bought groceries, cooked out one afternoon, and hit the bars Saturday night. The only "complaint" I had is that the competition isn't always even. Those tournaments pretty much have Gold, Silver, and Bronze divisions. Gold is basically ex-college and pro level; Silver is very competitive; and Bronze is everything else. We won our first 2 games something like 11-0 and 8-1, then lost our third 3-2. If they can figure out a way to split the Bronze up into more divisions, the competition would be better... but all in all, it's a great setup. We're planning on going again this May.

[Trooper 8]

The one in Pittsburgh is pretty well-run and well-attended. The top tier is made up of very good players. Joe Mullen is usually on a team but since he isn't on the Pens staff this year who knows. Lots of ex-NCAA players, legit ex-Jr. A guys, and other just very good hockey players. I don't know much about the other divisions.

[stickfixchaska 0]

I participated in the Classic here in Minnesota back in Sept. It was a well run Tourney. The divisions could use some work, but overall it was a good experience. The new rules were just adopted but the refs called it by the old standards. Good fun.

[Chadd 916]

They usually host one near here in Lancaster PA. The rink is easily the worst one in the area.

[Doctor Hook 0]

My overall observation on beer league hockey tourneys is that if your squad is in the lowest level, then you'll probably face a team full of ringers who probably played college (or seem like it). But at any rate I love tourneys and they're a good chance to play hockey, drink brews, and have some laughs. Granted I do this weekly at league games, but yeah...

[GSHL99 0]

Cool, I know for a fact the rink is top notch. Skated there a few times, it's where the Aves practice.

[Biaggi 0]

I've had pretty much the same experience with the non consistant level of teams. We thought we had the division wraped up, and ended up getting killed in the last round.