Even though it’s still early, traditionally Labor Day Weekend is one of the busiest times of the year for youth hockey in the United States. And this year was no different.

Some of the year’s largest tournaments and showcases were held during the holiday weekend, and there were many other smaller events that featured traditional top programs or teams looking to make an early-season splash.

Here is a look back at some of the action from Labor Day Weekend 2023:

 

For the Girls

Labor Day Weekend was highlighted in the United States by several large girls tournaments, including three in the Northeast. AAA tournaments featuring many traditional club hockey American and Canadian powerhouses took place in the Pittsburgh and Boston areas, while the second National Girls Hockey League (NGHL) Showcase of the year brought some of the top AA teams from around the U.S. to Connecticut.

The Premier Ice Prospects Labor Day Girls Fest was played in and around Pittsburgh. An event that included American AAA (Tier 1) and Canadian AA teams in the 14U, 16/17U and 19/20U age groups, the Labor Day Girls Fest welcomed a total of 66 teams that played more than 170 games at the Baierl Ice Complex, RMU Island Sports Center, UPMC Lemieux Sports Center and Ice Castle. Each of those four rinks is serviced by LiveBarn, so most, if not all, of the games should be available for on-demand viewing.

The tournament included some of the top programs in the United States and Canada, including clubs such as Team Illinois, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, Little Caesars, Mid-Fairfield Stars, Assabet Valley, Stoney Creek Sabres, Burlington Barracudas, Chicago Mission, Belle Tire, East Coast Wizards, Barrie Sharks, Massachusetts Spitfires, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, Bishop Kearney Selects, Honeybaked, Boston Jr. Eagles and Minnesota Northern Elite.

 

PIP Girls Fest Results

19U Gold Division

The East Coast Wizards got a combined shutout from goalies Sadie Belissimo and Alexsa Caron to capture the 19U Gold title, 3-0, against the Burlington Barracudas from Ontario. Morgan McGathey scored twice for the victors, who finished with a 6-0-0 record. The ‘Cudas went 5-1-0 for the weekend.

 

19U Silver Division

Ontario’s Stoney Creek Sabres faced off against Little Caesars in the 19U Silver Division championship game Sept. 3, with Little Caesars earning the 3-2 overtime victory to capture the tourney title. Drew Dyczkowski’s third goal of the weekend turned out to be the OT game-inner. LC concluded the weekend with a 4-2-0 record, while Stoney Creek went 3-3-0.

 

16U Gold Division

In another thriller, Little Caesars got an overtime goal from Natalie Joiner, her third tally of the tournament, to skate away with the 16U Gold crown, 1-0, over the Minnesota Whitecaps. Natalia Dilbone earned the shutout win in goal as LC finished with a 5-1-0 record. Minnesota concluded the tourney at 4-2-0.

 

16U Silver Division

Goals can be at a premium when two strong teams compete for a championship, and once again that was the case as Pittsburgh Penguins Elite defeated the Bishop Kearney Selects, 1-0, thanks to a second-period goal by Neely Hawn. Hawn’s third tally of the weekend made a winner of goalie Erin Judge, who recorded a shutout as Pens Elite completed the tournament with a 5-1-0 record. BK finished 4-2-0.

 

14U Gold Division

Assabet Valley completed a perfect 6-0-0 weekend with a 1-0 championship-game victory against the Chicago Mission. Chicago finished with a 5-1-0 mark. Lauren Kennedy was a shutout winner in goal thanks to Mia Daley’s GWG midway through the third period.

 

14U Silver Division

Little Caesars got a pair of goals from Lainey Parraghi en route to a 4-1 title-game victory against Team Illinois and the 14U Silver championship. Emily Hosman got the win in goal as LC concluded the tournament with a 4-2-0 record. TI went 3-3-0 on the weekend.

 

NAHA Labor Day Tournament Results

Meanwhile, another perennial national-powerhouse program, North American Hockey Academy, hosted its annual Labor Day Tournament Sept. 1-3 at five Boston-area rinks. Also boasting teams from the U.S. and Canada, the NAHA tourney featured more than 70 Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams competing at the 14U, 16U and 19U age levels.

Three of the rinks hosting the tournament have LiveBarn feeds, so many of the games should be available for on-demand viewing. Check the schedule to see which games might be streamed; the rinks that have LiveBarn are Boston Sports Institute, William Chase Arena and Bavis Arena.

Traditionally strong programs that sent teams to the NAHA Labor Day Tourney included Team Illinois, Massachusetts Spitfires, Minnesota Whitecaps, Nepean Jr. Wildcats, Stanstead College, Team Wisconsin, Team Colorado, Syracuse Valley Eagles, Arizona Kachinas, Assabet Valley and the Ottawa Lady Senators.

 

19U Division

It was a battle of unbeatens in the 19U championship game, with Northwood School coming out on top, 4-2, vs. Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps Black to finish the weekend 6-0-1 and capture the title. Minnesota fell to 6-1-0 with the loss. Jersey Graham got the win in goal for Northwood, making 28, saves, and Kristen Kiggen netted a pair of goals.

 

16U Division

The Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps swept through the 16U Division, posting a perfect 7-0-0 record and outscoring their opponents, 42-1. Minnesota shut out NAHA Red, 4-0, in the championship game thanks to a 54-14 shots-on-goal advantage and a pair of goals from June Semling. Kayla Swartout and Janie McGawn split time in goal for the Whitecaps.

 

14U Division

The Lovell Academy Lions completed a perfect 7-0-0 showing with a 4-1 championship-game victory over the Bay State Breakers. Bay State concluded the tournament with a 5-1-1 record. Lovell was dominant throughout, recording a 37-1 scoring advantage against its seven foes. Sydney Stoughton scored twice to lead the Lions to the title, while Peyton Scott and Moria Landszverk split time in goal.

 

NGHL Labor Day Challenge Results

Just a few hours south of Boston, the National Girls Hockey League (NGHL) held its Labor Day Challenge for primarily Tier 2 teams in its Blue Division at three rinks in the Cromwell, Conn. area. Games will be played at Champions Skating Center in Cromwell, Newington Arena and Enfield Twin Rinks, all facilities that offer LiveBarn feeds.

The NGHL is dedicated to the promotion and growth of girls ice hockey programs across the nation and supports its member clubs’ visions for player-focused development and progression to the next level. League member teams and guest teams from around the United States compete in NGHL events, and NGHL offerings include league play, showcases and exposure clinics.

Some of the traditionally strong Tier 2 programs that were among the nearly 60 teams competing in about 150 games between Sept. 2 and 4 included the Arizona Kachinas, Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, Connecticut Northern Lights, Connecticut Polar Bears, Shoreline Sharks, Florida Alliance, Mid-Fairfield Stars, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, North Suburban Wings and Princeton Tiger Lillies.

 

12U Futures Division

The Princeton Tiger Lillies captured the 12U championship with a perfect 5-0-0 record, outscoring their opponents, 28-2, in the process. They beat MassConn United, 5-1, in the championship game on the strength of two first-period goals from Lauren Letts. Julia Sammarco and Amelia Kling split time in goal for Princeton.  

 

14U Gold Division

The Hartford Jr. Wolfpack had a perfect weekend, going 6-0-0 while outscoring its opponents, 24-1. Despite their dominance, the Wolfpack were pushed to the limit in the championship game before earning a 1-0 victory against Maryland’s Montgomery Youth Hockey Association Ice Devils. Alexa Pesarik notched the championship-winning goal in the third period, while Josephine Hatch earned the shutout victory in goal.

 

14U Silver Division

Team Long Island shut out the New Jersey Devils in the finals, 3-0, to cap off a perfect 6-0-0 weekend. Ava Danziger got the shutout win in goal thanks to single goals by Jessie Ogburn, Melissa Beach and Emily Cacciatore. The Devils posted a 4-2-0 record.

 

16U Division

The Connecticut Northern Lights rolled to the 16U title by outscoring their foes, 25-4, including a 2-1 victory over the Shoreline Sharks in the championship game. Emily Greene and Teagan Cohane gave goaltender Megan Dolan all the goals she would need to record the victory in the first period. With the win, the Northern Lights improved to 6-0-0 for the weekend, while the Sharks fell to 4-2-0.

 

19U Gold Division

Mid-Fairfield Stars Major 2 rolled to a 5-1-0 tourney record but suffered their only loss at the hands of the  5-1-0 CT Northern Lights, 1-0, in a thrilling championship game. Shannon Aube’s tally with just 14 seconds left in the third period lifted the Northern Lights to the title and made a shutout winner of goalie Virginia Curello. Jessica Trocchio was the hard-luck loser in goal for the Stars.

 

19U Silver Division

MassConn United took on the New Jersey Devils in the finals and skated away with a 3-2 shootout victory to finish the weekend 4-2-0. The Devils’ tourney record dropped to 5-1-0 with the heartbreaking setback. MassConn’s Zoey Pietras forced overtime by scoring with 1:23 left in regulation, and Sarah Kim buried the shootout winner. Nicole Pollard got the win in goal for MassConn.

 

Boys Weekend Wrap

The girls didn’t have all the fun during the holiday weekend as big Tier 1 and Tier 2 tournaments were held for boys all over the United States.

Top AAA boys programs traveled to the Eastern Alliance Kickoff in the Boston area and the Chicago Mission Labor Day Showcase, while AA and A level teams competed in the Dallas Stars Labor Day Kickoff in Texas and Tier 2 clubs traveled to the Mid-Atlantic region to take part in the Atlantic Hockey Federation Showcases in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and New York.

 

Eastern Alliance Kickoff Results

More than 200 prep, junior and college scouts turned out hand to watch Tier 1 and Tier 2 14U, 15U, 16U and 18U teams compete in the Eastern Alliance Labor Day Kickoff, which was held at the New England Sports Center, New England Sports Village, Canton Ice House, Foxboro Sports Center and Rodman Arena Sept. 1-3.

Each of those rinks has a LiveBarn feed; please check the tournament website for updated schedule, scores and standings to determine which games might be available for on-demand viewing. The final tournament standings can be found by CLICKING HERE.

 

Chicago Mission Labor Day Tournament Results

One of the nation’s premier youth hockey organizations, the Chicago Mission, hosted its annual Mission Labor Day Tournament at Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Ill., and Fifth Third Arena in Chicago. The game schedule can be found by doing a search at Gamesheet.com. Both arenas have LiveBarn feeds, so games should be available for on-demand viewing. .

The Mission Labor Day Tournament featured 32 Tier 1 teams across nine age groups competing in 68 games between Sept. 1-3. Top AAA clubs from as far away as California, Idaho and New Jersey will be sending teams to compete in the event. Some of the nationally prominent clubs that will be represented include the Chicago Reapers, Team Illinois, Ohio Blue Jackets, Carshield, Team Wisconsin, Minnesota Blades and Pittsburgh Penguins Elite.

 

2015 Standings

Chicago Mission 2-0-0

Windy City Storm 0-2-0

 

2014 Standings

Chicago Mission 1-1-0

Team Illinois 1-1-0

 

2013 Standings

Team Illinois 3-0-0

Chicago Mission 0-2-1

Windy City Storm 0-1-1

 

2012 Standings

Team Illinois 5-0-0

Chicago Mission 4-0-0

Chicago Reapers 2-3-0

Minuteman Flames 2-3-0

Pens Elite 2-3-0

NJ Rockets 2-3-0

 

2011 Standings

Chicago Mission 2-2-0

LA Jr. Kings 2-0-0

Carshield 0-2-0

 

14U Division

Pens Elite 3-1-0

Chicago Mission 3-1-0

Minnesota Blades 2-1-0

Ohio Blue Jackets 1-2-0

Team Wisconsin 0-4-0

 

15U Division

Chicago Mission 3-0-0

Minnesota Blades 2-1-0

Ohio Blue Jackets 2-1-0

 

16U

Team Wisconsin 3-0-0

Chicago Mission 2-1-1

Chicago Reapers 2-1-0

Sioux Falls Power 1-2-0

Carshield 0-2-2

Ohio Blue Jackets 0-2-1

 

18U

Chicago Mission 3-0-0

Carshield 2-1-0

Sioux Falls Power 1-2-0

Ohio Blue Jackets 0-3-0

 

Dallas Stars Labor Day Kickoff Results

Deep in the heart of Texas, more than 110 AA and A teams traveled to the Dallas area to play more than 260 games at the Dallas Stars Labor Day Kickoff Sept. 2-4. The tournament had 10U AA, 10U A, 12U AA, 12U A, 14U AA, 14U A, 16U AA, 16U A and 18U AA divisions, with teams from Texas, Oklahoma, California, Arizona and Colorado competing.

Games were played in Dallas Stars-supported rinks in Farmers Branch, McKinney, Plano, Euless, Richardson, Frisco, Mansfield, Valley Ranch – all rinks that offer LiveBarn feeds, so on-demand viewing should be available.

The Dallas Penguins had a big weekend, capturing championships at the 10U A, 12U A, 16U AA and 16U A levels. In other age groups, the Texas Tigers won the 18U AA and 14U A divisions, while Dallas Stars Elite captured 12U and 14U AA crowns. The Texas Jr. Stars won the 10U AA title.

CLICK HERE for the final standings in all age groups

 

Atlantic Hockey Federation Showcase Results

Back East in the Mid-Atlantic region, the Atlantic Hockey Federation (AHF) held its first showcases of the season Sept. 1-3 in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. The AHF caters to over 500 member-owned clubs, spanning AA divisions for age groups 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U and 18U. Additionally, the league offers A/B hockey at the 10U, 12U, 14U age levels, as well as 16U A and 18U A levels, and an 8U AAA division.

Last weekend’s first AHF Showcase featured AA teams in the 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U and 18U age groups from states as far away as Florida, Colorado, Arizona and Missouri competing in nearly 400 games. There also was an 8U AAA showcase.

Many of the rinks hosting games do have LiveBarn feeds. CLICK HERE for the full tournament schedule with rink listings then head over to www.LiveBarn.com and do a VENUE SEARCH to determine which games might be available to view on-demand.

 

12U AA Top Teams

Montgomery Youth Hockey Ice Devils Blue 4-0-0

Haverford Hawks 4-0-0

Hollydell Hurricanes 4-0-0

 

13U AA Top Teams

Palmyra Black Knights 5-0-0

Ashburn Xtreme 3-0-0

 

14U AA Top Teams

PHA Icemen 5-0-0

Grundy Senators 4-0-0

Clearwater Ice Storm 4-0-0

 

15U AA Top Teams

Chesterfield Falcons 4-0-0

 

16U AAA Top Teams

Tomorrow's Ice Selects 5-0-0

Applecore 4-0-0

Lehigh Valley Phantoms 4-0-0

Valley Forge Colonials McCourt 4-0-0

 

18U AA Top Teams

Tri-City Eagles Blue 4-0-0

Chesterfield Falcons 4-1-0

 

Full results, stats and standings can be found by CLICKING HERE.