Event Info
There will be a minimum of 4 games scheduled for each team
Friday games may begin as early as 2 p.m. local time
Select the division that best fits your Team, and our highly skilled staff will ensure you are placed in a competitive division with teams of a similar skill level.
Divisions will be created to support competitive tournaments for all teams. In any division, teams may compete in the same USA Hockey Age Classification, regardless of whether they are minor, major, or mixed-age teams. Any questions regarding placement or divisions, please get in touch with our office at 248-399-1694
Kodiak Division- Generally, higher-level teams
Grizzly Division-Generally, middle-level teams
Polar Division-Generally, lower-level teams
Midget 16U/18U/H.S.J.V./ H.S V teams: May be scheduled in the same divisions. Ice resurfaces after 2 periods of play (time permitting).
You may start on clean ice and play two periods, then take a resurface break and play the last period. You may go on dirty ice for a warm-up and 1 period, and then go off for a resurface, then play the previous two periods.
All teams must be booked through our hotel process with TTS. This is a stay-to-play event for all teams whose home rink is 70 miles or further away from the designated main rink of the Tournament.
Any teams within the 70-mile limit that plan to book hotels must also go through our hotel booking process. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of games, disqualification, and immediate removal from the Tournament, with no refund of any kind.
Big Bear partners with numerous local sports teams and other attractions to offer a comprehensive travel experience in the cities where we host tournaments. Our on-staff Entertainment Coordinator can help your team pick the perfect off-ice activity in any Tournament location.
We provide this service as a courtesy to all our participating teams, helping you make the most of your travel experience in any city. From professional sports to dining and other Team activities, let us plan the perfect balance of on-ice competition and off-ice family fun.
Please e-mail hc@bigbeartournaments.com for the most up-to-date activities in the city of your choice. If you plan to purchase tickets to professional or other off-ice entertainment on your own, please notify Holly so she can work with our scheduler to ensure your activity can be accommodated. Failure to communicate off-ice activities could result in schedule conflicts with your games.
Please be aware that if your Team is traveling by plane, motorcoach, or any other method that requires payment and/or reservations, you must enter that itinerary into your application to avoid scheduling conflicts.
Event Info:
- This is an AAU-sanctioned event
- Each Team will be guaranteed 4 games throughout the weekend, with the 4th game acting as a Championship or Consolation game
- Games will be scored with Game Sheets
- The schedule for this event will be released no later than Friday, one week prior to the start date.
- Any scheduling requests must be received in writing, 30 days prior to the event date, and should be emailed to scheduler@bigbeartournaments.com
- This Tournament is a Stay‑to‑Play event. Hotel and eligibility information can be found under the Policies section within the General Info tab above. Any participant who books outside our approved system will cause their Team to forfeit any complimentary rooms earned and render the participant ineligible to participate.
Division and Period Lengths:
- 8U (12-12-12)
Additional Information
All scheduled game times are listed in the local time zone of the Tournament location.
Check In: Upon arrival at the Arena, please check in with the on-site Tournament Director
Game Start Times: All teams must be ready to start up to 15 minutes before each scheduled game time
Uniforms: Home teams will wear white jerseys, Away teams will wear dark jerseys. If you have only one set of jerseys, please coordinate with the opposing Team before each game.
Concerns during the Tournament: For the most efficient support throughout the weekend, please direct all questions or concerns—whether related to game times, scoring, or any issues at the rink to the on‑site Tournament director, or our Big Bear Tournament Director, Teresa McManamon. Our office is closed on the weekends, and inquiries sent there may not receive a timely response, so contacting the on‑site director ensures you get immediate assistance.
Thank you for your cooperation and good luck in the Tournament! 🏒