It wasn’t too hard to find some high-level hockey the weekend of Dec.13-16 if you happened to be in the Midwest portion of the United States.

Scouts flocked to Blaine, Minn., where 76 USA Boys Tier 1 teams from the 14U, 15O, 16U and 18U age levels joined 25 junior teams from the North American Tier 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) for another of the one-stop-shopping showcase extravaganzas that the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and its affiliates have become known for.

The majority of the showcase’s participating youth teams were from the North American Tier 1 Hockey League (NAT1HL), an in-season showcase league organized and operated by the NAHL. At the 18U level, the North American Tier 1 teams joined forces with the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League (T1EHL), another prominent in-season showcase league, to bring a strong and deep of field of 40 18U USA Boys teams to Blaine for the weekend.

The NAT1HL is one of three leagues that comprise the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL). The NAPHL has established itself as one of the nation’s premier leagues for player development and exposure, and the T1EHL includes more than 20 top youth hockey organizations from around the United States. Both leagues provide their members with a great deal of exposure to higher-level coaches and scouts.

While there was one lone showcase game played on Thursday, Dec. 12, the 14U, 15O and 16U portion of the weekend really began the morning of Friday, Dec. 13, and ran through Sunday, Dec. 15. Junior and 18U games got underway Dec. 14, with the 18U Division wrapping up on Dec. 16 and the NA3HL finishing concluding play Dec. 17. All games were played at the National Sports Center in Blaine and were streamed at NAHLTV.com.

All 35 NA3HL teams also played games at the National Sports Center throughout the weekend, providing an opportunity for the youth players to be introduced to that league firsthand and allowing coaches and scouts from the league to have access to hundreds of high-level prospects.

Meanwhile in the Windy City, the nationally recognized Chicago Mission program hosted some of the top 19U and 16U Girls Tier 1 teams in the United States for a weekend showcase. The Chicago Mission Girls Showcase at Fifth Third Bank Arena featured 12 total teams competing at both age levels. Eleven of the 12 teams are ranked among the nation’s top 30, according to the latest MHR Rankings, and all of them are ranked in the top 50 for their respective age groups.

The Chicago Mission Girls Showcase began the morning of Friday, Dec. 13, and ran through Sunday, Dec. 15. Both rinks at Fifth Third Arena have LiveBarn feeds, so all showcase games should still be available for on-demand viewing.

 

NAT1HL/TIER1EHL Blaine Showcase

There were more than 75 USA Boys Tier 1 teams competing in the Blaine Showcase Dec. 13-16. Forty of those teams comprised a strong and deep 18U Division that included teams from both the NAT1HL and the Tier 1 EHL. There were 18 teams in the 16U Division, eight 15O teams and 10 teams in the 14U Division.

 

18U Division

Of the 40 participating 18U teams, 13 were ranked among the nation’s top 40, according to the latest MHR Tier 1 USA Boys Rankings. Another five were in the top 50, and there were 21 of the nation’s top 60 teams in Blaine.

 

18U Top Competing Teams Weekend Records

#8 (overall) Northstar Christian Academy (4-0-0; 16 GF, 8GA)

#18 St. Louis AAA Blues (3-1-0; 13 GF, 6 GA)

#19 Ohio Blue Jackets (2-2-0; 10 GF, 12 GA)

#20 CarShield (2-2-0; 10 GF, 9 GA)

#26 Phoenix Jr. Coyotes (3-1-0; 12 GF, 11 GA)

#28 New Jersey Jr. Titans (1-3-0; 10 GF, 18 GA)

#31 Victory Honda (2-2-0; 11 GF, 11 GA)

#33 Biggby Coffee (1-3-0; 14 GF, 19 GA)

#35 Fox Motors (0-4-0; 4 GF, 11 GA)

#36 Chicago Fury (3-1-0; 13 GF, 7 GA)

#37 Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (1-3-0; 9 GF, 11 GA)

#38 Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (2-2-0; 14 GF, 11 GA)

#40 Lincoln Stars (2-2-0; 9 GF, 10 GA)

 

18U Game of the Weekend

Saturday, Dec. 14 – #8 Northstar Academy 3, #18 St. Louis Blues 2

Deegan Hoffbauer scored late in the third period to break a 2-2 tie and lift Northstar to victory. Mason Grinnell and Ian Christian also scored for the winners, with Christian picking up an assist on Grinnell’s goal. Gavin Erickson made 19 saves to earn the win in goal.

 

CLICK HERE Division for the 18U scores and schedule

 

16U Division

Four of the 18 teams in the showcase’s 16U Division were ranked among the nation’s top 60, according to the Week 12 MHR USA Boys Tier 1 Rankings.

 

16U Top Competing Teams Weekend Records

#37 CarShield (2-2-0; 10 GF, 7 GA)

#39 (overall) Northstar Christian Academy (2-1-0; 11 GF, 9 GA)

#45 Indiana Elite (3-1-0; 15 GF, 10 GA)

#57 Pittsburgh Stars (3-1-0; 13 GF, 10 GA)

 

16U Game of the Weekend

Saturday, Dec. 14 - #37 CarShield 4, #39 Northstar Academy 3 (SO)

After Northstar had rallied for three third-period goals, Brady Bates tied the game in the final five minutes of regulation before also potting the shootout winner. CarShield goalie Nathan Arnold thwarted each of Northstar’s three shootout attempts and finished the game with 30 saves. Greyson Larose and Bryson Bridges also scored for the winners, and Bates added an assist to his tally.

 

CLICK HERE for the 16U Division scores and schedule

 

15O Division

There were a pair of top 60 teams, according to the latest MHR Tier 1 Boys Rankings, competing in the 15O Division in Blaine.

 

15O Top Competing Teams Weekend Records

#57 Philadelphia Hockey Club (3-1-0; 16 GF, 10 GA)

#59 CarShield (2-2-0; 14 GF, 13 GA)

 

15O Top Game of the Weekend

Friday, Dec. 13 - #47 Philadelphia Hockey Club 4, #59 CarShield 2

Braden Betancourt scored twice, while Grady Reilly contributed a goal and two assists and Nole Donohue handed out a pair of helpers in PHC’s victory. Winning goalie Aidan Wright stopped 20 shots, and Nicky Lento netted the other PHC goal.

 

CLICK HERE for the 15O Division scores and schedule

CLICK HERE for the 14U Division scores and schedule

 

 

Chicago Mission Girls Showcase

The Mission 19U and 16U Girls Showcase featured 12 Midwest-based Tier 1 organizations that traditionally produce some of the top USA Girls team at various age levels. Each team was guaranteed to play five games between Friday and Sunday. Five of the six teams in the 19U Division were ranked among the nation’s top 21, according to the Week 12 MHR USA Girls Tier 1 Rankings, and all six were in the top 48.

 

19U Participating Teams Records

# 4 Chicago Mission (5-0-0; 32 GF, 5 GA)

#13 Culver Academies (2-2-1; 16 GF, 12 GA)

#14 Belle Tire (4-1-0; 18 GF, 11 GA)

#18 Little Caesars (3-1-1; 15 GF, 7 GA)

#21 Gilmour Academy (2-3-0; 10 GF, 14 GA)

#48 Madison Capitols (0-5-0; 4 GF, 37 GA)

 

The 19U Mission turned out to be the only unbeaten team in either age group, allowing just a single goal in each of their five games while scoring 32 times. No individual player statistics are listed on the tournament website.

 

CLICK HERE for the 19U rosters and scouting information

 

16U Participating Teams

All six teams in the 16U Division of the Chicago Mission Girls Showcase were ranked among the top 27 in the United States, according to the Week 12 MHR Tier 1 Girls Rankings. Four of the participants were in the top 20.

 

16U Participating Teams Records

#6 Chicago Mission (4-1-0; 15 GF, 3 GA)

#10 Little Caesars (3-1-1; 15 GF, 7 GA)

#15 Culver Academies (2-3-0; 7 GF, 13 GA)

#19 Milwaukee Jr. Admirals (1-4-0; 11 GF, 27 GA)

#24 Belle Tire (2-3-0; 7 GF, 10 GA)

#27 Madison Capitols (2-2-1; 16 GF, 11 GA)

 

The 16U Mission couldn’t quite match the performance of their 19U Chicago clubmates, but they still had a strong weekend, allowing just three goals in five games. The team recorded a pair of shutouts, and its only loss was a 1-0 setback against No. 10 Little Caesars in the first game of the tournament. No individual player statistics are listed on the tournament website.

 

CLICK HERE for the 16U rosters and scouting information

CLICK HERE for the Chicago Mission Girls Showcase scores, schedules, standings & stats