It’s that time of year again. Already.

District Tournament play has begun in the United States as boys’ and girls’ Tier 1 teams embark on the the final legs of the journeys that they hope will culminate in a trip to USA Hockey National Championships. State tournament play, which also determines Nationals berths at the Tier 2 level, also has gotten underway in recent weeks.

This year’s USA Hockey Nationals are scheduled to take place between March 30 and April 4 in the following locations:

• Youth (Boys) Tier 1 14U – Chicago, Ill. March 30 – April 4
• Youth (Boys) Tier 1 15U – Plymouth, Mich. March 30 – April 4
• Youth (Boys) Tier 1 16U, 18U – Rochester, Mich. March 30 – April 4
• Youth (Boys) Tier 2 14U – Kalamazoo, Mich. March 31 – April 4
• Youth (Boys) Tier 2 16U – Troy, Mich. March 31 – April 4
• Youth (Boys) Tier 2 18U – Irvine, Calif March 31 – April 4
• Girls Tier 1 14U, 16U, 19U – Pittsburgh, Pa. March 31 – April 4
• Girls Tier 2 14U, 16U, 19U – West Chester, Pa. March 31 – April 4

 

The following Tier 1 teams already have qualified for Nationals:

• Boys 18U – #1 Shattuck-St. Mary’s, #16 Boston Jr. Eagles
• Boys 16U – #1 Shattuck-St. Mary’s, #3 Boston Jr. Eagles
• Boys 15U – #2 Shattuck-St. Mary’s, #53 Minuteman Flames
• Boys 14U – #1 Shattuck-St. Mary’s
• Girls 19U – #6 Shattuck-St. Mary’s, #8 North American Hockey Academy, #20 Pittsburgh Penguins Elite
• Girls 16U – #1 Minnesota Elite MSP Grey, #2 East Coast Wizards, #16 Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, #20 Gilmour Gladiators
• Girls 14U – #1 Minnesota Green Giants, #5 Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, #35 Cleveland Lady Barons

 

Atlantic District

Last weekend, boys’ teams in the Atlantic District took their first steps on the road to Nationals when independent Tier 1 teams had the opportunity to play each other for a spot in the Atlantic District Qualifying Tournament to be held March 4-6. The following team advanced to the qualifier:

• 14U #22 New Jersey Rockets
• 15U #34 New Jersey Rockets
• 16U #6 New Jersey Rockets
• 18U #23 New Jersey Rockets

 

Pacific District

USA Boys Tier 1 teams in the Pacific District are in action this weekend in Irvine, Calif., competing for Nation’s berths at the 14U, 15U, 16U and 18U age levels. Play got underway in all age groups Thursday and continues through Sunday. 

The complete schedule and results can be found by CLICKING HERE. All games are being played at Great Park Ice & FivePoint Arena in Irvine and can be seen live and on-demand at www.LiveBarn.com. 

Teams competing in the Pacific District Tournament include: 

 

14U Boys Tier 1

#8 Los Angeles Jr. Kings

#26 California Golden Bears

#44 Team Alaska

#77 Anaheim Jr. Ducks

#87 Sno-King Jr. Thunderbirds

#102 Wenatchee Wolverines

 

Top 14U matchup of the weekend:

Saturday at 11:00 a.m. ET – #8 Los Angeles Jr. Kings vs. #77 Anaheim Jr. Ducks

14U Championship Game: Sunday at 12:00 p.m. ET

 

15U Boys Tier 1

#9 Team Alaska

#30 Los Angeles Jr. Kings

#33 Anaheim Ice Dogs

#67 Anaheim Jr. Ducks

 

Top 15U matchup of the weekend:

Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET – #9 Team Alaska vs. #30 Los Angeles Jr. Kings

15U Championship Game: Sunday at 12:15 p.m. ET

 

16U Boys Tier 1

#14 Anaheim Jr. Ducks

#55 Team Alaska

#81 Sno-King Thunderbirds

#83 Los Angeles Jr. Kings

#85 San Jose Jr. Sharks

#100 Vegas Jr. Golden Knights

 

Top 16U matchup of the weekend:

Saturday at 1:15 p.m. ET – #55 Team Alaska vs. #81 Sno-King Thunderbirds

16U Championship Game: Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET

  

18U Boys Tier 1

#47 Northwest Stars

#62 Anaheim Jr. Ducks

#76 San Jose Jr. Sharks

#90 Los Angeles Jr. Kings

#96 California Wave

#114 Team Alaska

 

Top 18U matchup of the weekend:

Saturday at 6:00 p.m. ET – #47 Northwest Stars vs. #96 California Wave

 

18U Championship Game: Sunday at 2:15 p.m. Eastern