TOURNAMENT INFO
25th Year of Hosting Youth Hockey Tournaments in Niagara Falls, NY
NST is more than just Hockey.
We pride ourselves on thought out, well vetted, competitive divisions at all skill levels.
Myhockeyrankings starts the process of building divisions.
We strongly recommend that your association registers with MHR.
Accommodation Policy
Out-of-town teams are required to stay at one of the approved host hotels. A team traveling more than 50 miles is considered an out-of-town team. A list of approved hotels will be sent as soon as the entry fee is received. The reservation committee will book all team rooms. Teams are not allowed to book their own reservations. It is suggested that team managers/coaches respond quickly since there are limited rooms available at each hotel. Call for further information.
Please note – Teams that do not stay at approved hotels will be removed from the tournament and forfeit their entry fees.
Please complete the electronic registration. The application will not be processed until the entry fee is received. Applications are taken in the order they are received. Full payment must be included in U.S. funds.
Paypal, Venmo, credit cards and checks are all an acceptable form of payment NST partners with many local business to keep you entertained away from the rink
NST Tournaments Features:
- A friendly, courteous staff with a tournament director present at ALL times.
- Experienced Referees with the Supervisor of Officials present for EVERY game.
- First Class hotel rooms at the LOWEST rates in WNY
- Great restaurants, tourist attractions, casino gambling.
- Convenient Tournament dates so the LEAST amount of school is missed.
- Buffalo Sabres and Niagara University Division I hockey.
- Game sheets prepared by tournament staff for every game.
- After one game, NST will provide a tray of pizza that can be enjoyed in J.R. Stone room, which is attached to the rink.
Why play with NST?
Voted #1 Tournament Operator in WNY
We spend hundreds of hours screening each application, and unlike other organizations that run 20-30 tournaments per year, we run 6 tournaments. With more than enough applicants, we carefully place each team, where the objective of these larger tournament venues is to fill their tournaments with as many teams as possible.
With 25 years of experience, we have learned over the years that keeping things organized makes it easier for everyone. and for our attendees.
We provide a tournament schedule 2 weeks prior to the tournament event. Schedules seldom change since we put our schedules through a rigorous approval process, not to mention that all teams have already paid in full, and we typically have a waiting list.
USA Hockey Sanctioned
Each player receives thank you gift (bag tag, puck, etc) for entering the tournament. The gift changes every tournament. Teams that advance to the championship game receive either individual runner-up or championship Metals. Champions will also receive a banner to bring home and display proudly in their own Rink.
Multiple Team/Tournament Discounts
Balanced, Competitive, well thought out Divisions
Individual and Team awards for Finalists and Champions
4 games guaranteed
Complimentary Gift for each Player
NST BACKGROUND
Thank you for looking at NST for your Tournament needs. We appreciate your consideration, as we know how difficult it can be to pick the proper tournament Company with so many new companies flooding the market. Gene Carella the founder of NST, began organizing tournaments in 1990 for what was formerly known as Grand Niagara Cataracts Hockey Association. In 1999, he started Niagara Sport Tournaments to help provide quality youth hockey to hundreds of teams throughout the U.S. and Canada per year. Gene’s son Michael is now runs the company. In our 25th year of running youth hockey tournaments we have the experience to provide high quality tournaments with the end goal of providing life long memories.
As a travel parent and coach we understand what is need for a quality experience. We have been to other tournaments, where you drive 40 minutes to each rink, have a 9PM game followed by a 7AM game the next day. We schedule game with the idea that teams are here for not just hockey. We partner with many local businesses to provide activities for not just the hockey players but the entire family.
We spend many hour researching our teams, to ensure each team is placed in the proper division. Myhockeyranking give us a base line for a skill level of teams, but it is not perfect. There are many different classifications used by amateur hockey teams in different regions of the United States, and Canada. Divisions can get messy if careful consideration is not taken. We at NST, take much time and effort to create well-balanced divisions. Nothing is more disheartening then driving to a tournament to blow out a team or get blown out by a team.
Teams do not want to travel to a tournament just to be place in the same side of a division as team from their local league. We take pride in delivering an enjoyable tournament experience for our tournament families. This is evidenced by an incredible return rate in tournament participation by hockey associations. We only accept between 40-60 teams per tournament and focus on quality over quantity.
We have the luxury of running the facility which most of our games are played. This gives us great flexibility to ensure a quality experience.
Screening Process
Rules:
All U.S.A. Hockey Rules and Regulations will be applicable. Tournament Rules are posted on our website under the tournament rules link. Please note that all of our tournaments are run on a point-per-period scoring system, where each game is worth 5 points which will be divided between the two teams.
Registration:
All U.S. and Canadian Teams must be registered with their respective parent organizations for the 2015-2016 season. Only U.S.A. hockey age classifications will be accepted. A certified U.S.A. or C.A.H.A. Hockey Team roster will be required before final acceptance is granted. It must also be presented at registration check-in.
Level of Competition:
Classification systems (AAA, AA, A, B, AE, house select & house) may have slightly different meanings from area to area. Expect to encounter teams that may have different eligibility or classification rules that may not correspond to what you are accustomed to in your area. The age groups for USA Hockey and those of the Canadian Hockey Association are basically the same, however, areas that have large numbers of registered players tend to further delineate within the 2-year window allowed for each age group. In these situations, teams composed of exclusively or primarily of players in their 1st year of eligibility of a particular age group will play in their respective home areas against like teams.
Examples:
New York has areas that use both the two year USA Hockey age window and the single calendar year to determine the make-up of their teams. There are also teams that travel from New York who are rostered as B/travel.
Ontario has much more skill classification, per the calendar year age grouping than any USA Hockey affiliate. These include AAA, AA, A, BB, B, AE (additional entry) and House. Many governing bodies within Ontario also permits Select or All-Star teams to form for the sole purpose of competing in events.
Cleveland Suburban League uses the RPI system and classifies teams as AA, A1, A2, A3, B1, and B2.
In Massachusetts, teams are classified A, B, and C with the exception of the Boston Metro League.
In Michigan they’re referred to as “A” teams, in Ontario & Western New York they are referred to as “minor” teams. Michigan is still the only place in the universe, to our knowledge, where the A & AA classifications are age groups and not skill levels.
Ohio is growing their hockey programs rapidly, but there are not the concentrations of players you’ll find in Michigan or Illinois and therefore the talent is also spread out. Each season we see additional ice arenas being built, added to or renovated in Ohio. With the addition of the Blue Jackets in Columbus, it’s only a matter of time.
Indiana like Ohio suffers from a lack of ice arenas. Again there are several programs across the state and new arenas are being built each season. House program teams in Indiana do not travel to tournaments. Programs in Indiana typically form an All-Star team from their house programs which either compete in the B or A brackets of our events.
Florida also has an interesting way of organizing youth hockey. A & AA teams are typically designated as such depending on the league you choose. For instance, teams playing in the Central Florida Hockey League are all designated A teams with those teams playing in the statewide league designated as AA teams. In addition, a team can be formed in Florida for the sole purpose of attending a tournament and these teams are rostered as tournament teams.
Playing Levels – Boys Teams
Our tournament divisions are based on the following general guidelines. Variations are possible based on the skill level of specific teams:
AA – The “best” or first picked travel team within a Tier II organization. These teams will often consist primarily of “second-year” or “major” aged players within the age group. In some cases, Major A teams are also a more appropriate fit for this level.
A – The second team or lower teams within a hockey organization and/or teams consisting Primarily of “first-year” players within the age classification or “minor” teams of a suitable skill level.
B – The third, or lower, travel level teams chosen within a Tier II organization or teams that are classified as Tier III. Teams at the B levels may often be populated by many players in their first year of “travel” hockey.
Playing Levels – Girls Teams
AA – Top competitive team in an association or district.
A – Competitive travel teams that are tournament bound.
B – Recreational/House/Travel teams that are not tournament bound.
C – Developmental teams – Teams that mainly comprised of first-year players with no more than 20% returning players
Playing Levels – High School – Varsity / JV
Age divisions and classifications may vary between the U.S. and Canada and, in some cases, from state to state. The tournament director will discuss appropriate placement of all teams to ensure fair, competitive and equitable playing divisions.
Zero Tolerance Policy
USA Hockey is committed to creating a safe and fair environment for all participants. Respect for the game, the opponents, coaches and officials is a critical part of the environment that is created. This Zero Tolerance Policy summarizes required actions to be taken when violations occur.
All players, coaches, officials, team officials and administrators and parents/spectators are required to maintain a sportsmanlike and educational atmosphere before, during and after all USA Hockey sanctioned games. Thus, the following points of emphasis must be implemented by all USA Hockey participants and spectators.
Players
A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (zero tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a player:
Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
Taunts or incites an opponent.
Visually creates a disturbance during the game.
Any time that a player persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a misconduct penalty. A game misconduct shall result if the player continues such action.
Coaches
A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (zero tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a coach:
Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
Uses obscene, profane or abusive language to anyone at any time.
Visually displays any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision including standing on the boards or standing in the bench doorway with the intent of inciting the officials, players or spectators.
Any time that a coach persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.
In addition, any player/coach who uses language that is hateful or discriminatory in nature anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game shall be penalized under Rule 601(e.3) resulting in a match penalty. Such behavior is reprehensible and has absolutely no place in our game. The offender shall be immediately suspended until a hearing is conducted by the governing USA Hockey Affiliate or Junior League.
Officials
Officials are required to conduct themselves in a businesslike, sportsmanlike, impartial and constructive manner at all times. The actions of an official must be above reproach. Actions such as “baiting” or inciting players or coaches are strictly prohibited.
Officials are strongly encouraged to introduce themselves to the coaches prior to the game to establish a basis of mutual respect and to facilitate/define in-game communication.
Officials are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind.
Parents / Spectators
Parents are expected to be a positive role model by treating all players, coaches, officials and fellow spectators with respect and support.
The game will be stopped by game officials when parents/ spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. The game officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/ spectators from the spectator’s viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced and violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body. This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include:
Use of obscene, profane or abusive language to anyone at any time.
Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence.
Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, penalty box or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.
USA Hockey strongly recommends that each local youth hockey registered team designate a volunteer to serve as a parent/spectator monitor during all team games. This monitor will, ideally, address inappropriate spectator behavior prior to the situation escalating to the point it has an impact on the game. This designated monitor shall have the full support of the youth hockey association and the arena management to remove any spectator in violation of the Zero Tolerance Policy.
Administrators
Administrators are the key to building a positive, growing and safe USA Hockey community. Create a culture that is:
Welcoming
Protected
Respected
Connected
Valued
Administrators are responsible for enforcing the rules and policies established and approved by USA Hockey, their Affiliate, and their Association or Club. This includes taking disciplinary action, as deemed appropriate, towards any parent/spectator removed from a game as a result of a violation of the Zero Tolerance Policy.
