From November 24th to 26th, 2023, hockey enthusiasts gathered in Delaware and New Jersey for the highly anticipated Defender Hockey Tournaments Thanksgiving Classic.
In Delaware, the Palmyra Black Knights emerged triumphant in multiple categories, leaving their mark on the competition. In the 8U A division, the Palmyra Black Knights secured a decisive 10-3 victory against Team Philadelphia in the championship game. The 10U A category witnessed another triumph for the Palmyra Black Knights, as they defeated the Hollydell Hurricanes 6-3 in a thrilling finals matchup. In the 12U A division, the Philadelphia Blazers (Czop) clinched victory with a narrow 3-2 win against the Hollydell Hurricanes. The 12U AA category saw an intense battle, with the Old Bridge Jr. Knights emerging as champions after a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the NJ Bandits (Grey). The Hollydell Hurricanes continued their success in the 14U A division, securing a 4-0 win against the Delco Phantoms in the championship game. The 16U A category witnessed Snider Hockey's dominance as they emerged victorious with a 3-0 win against the Grundy Senators in the championship match.
New Jersey also witnessed exhilarating competition, with teams showcasing their skills and determination to claim victory in their respective categories. In the 10U A division, the Cutting Edge Cobras secured a convincing 4-1 win over the New Jersey Bandits in the finals. The Mercer Chiefs triumphed in the 10U B category, narrowly defeating the PAL Sound Tigers 3-2 in the championship game. The Cutting Edge Cobras (Black) displayed their prowess in the 12U A division, securing a 5-2 victory against the North Jersey Kings in the finals. In the 12U B category, the Cutting Edge Cobras emerged victorious once again, claiming a 3-2 win over the New Jersey Bandits (White) in the championship game. The North Jersey Kings (Blue) celebrated success in the 14U A division, emerging triumphant with a 6-4 victory against the Long Island Gulls in the championship match.
Defender Hockey Tournaments next event is the Winter Whiteout from January 13-15th in New Jersey. For a full list of winter events click here and to view the newly released spring and summer events click here.
Defender Hockey Tournaments Columbus Day Invitational: A Triumph of Skill and Determination
The Defender Hockey Tournaments Columbus Day Invitational recently electrified the ice hockey scene in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, showcasing the relentless spirit and extraordinary talent of young players. This annual event not only serves as a battleground for fierce competition but also a platform for the youth to flourish and reach their potential. Let's take a closer look at the triumphant teams and their thrilling victories in Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Pennsylvania's Ice Dominance:
10UB Hampton Roads Whalers put on a remarkable performance, winning 5-1 against Palmyra Black Knights, securing the championship title in the 10U B division.
In a heart-pounding showdown, 10UA Hartford Wolves emerged victorious, defeating Metro Militia 7-6, capping a display of sheer determination and finesse.
12UA Ashburn Xtreme triumphed with a 3-1 win against the York Devils, showcasing their exceptional teamwork and skill.
The 12UB division witnessed a tense match where the Palmyra Black Knights emerged as winners, defeating the Delaware Ducks with a score of 2-1.
14UA Palmyra Black Knights displayed their prowess, securing a 5-2 victory against the York Devils, solidifying their claim to the championship.
In the 14U B Divisions, the York Devils prevailed 4-3 over the Easton IceHawks to earn themselves a tournament championship.
In the 16UAA category, the Palm Beach Hawks achieved a dominant 5-0 shutout against the Palmyra Black Knights, showcasing their remarkable defense and goalkeeping skills.
16UA Grundy Senators outplayed the Philadelphia Blazers with a final score of 5-2, cementing their position at the top of the 16U division.
The 18UA Grundy Senators displayed their mettle and secured a 2-0 victory over the Frederick Freeze, demonstrating their ability to stay cool under pressure.
Connecticut's Ice Majesty:
In Connecticut, the 8UC Phantoms Hockey team showcased their scoring prowess, outscoring Phantoms Hockey '16 with a thrilling 9-5 victory.
In the 8UB division, the Long Island Royals secured a narrow 3-2 win over ECHO, demonstrating the importance of precision and strategy.
The 10UB category witnessed a closely contested match, with the Mercer Chiefs (red) edging out Ct Jr. Rangers with a score of 5-4, underlining the importance of resilience in high-pressure situations.
10UA Cranford demonstrated their proficiency with a 5-2 victory over the Hartford Jr. Wolfpack, securing their place as champions in the 10U division.
The 12UB division witnessed a display of talent as Providence outshone ECHO with a 2-0 victory, earning them the coveted championship.
12UA Skylands Kings won a nail-biting match with a 1-0 victory over Long Island Royals, proving that every goal counts in the world of ice hockey.
The 14UA Jersey Shore Wildcats proved their mettle with a resounding 4-0 victory over the Skylands Kings, earning them the championship title in their division
In the 14UB division, ECHO displayed their mastery with a 5-2 victory over Cranford, showing off their impressive offensive skills.
Congratulations to all the teams for their exceptional performances, and may they continue to inspire and thrive on the ice in the years to come.
Miss out on Columbus Day? Our next tournament is right around the corner Thanksgiving Weekend! Find our full schedule of tournaments and register here.
Introducing our Spring and Summer 2024 Defender Tournaments! Registrations open soon!
Spring Thaw - Delaware
April 19-21
Keg Cup - Delaware
May 3-5
Spring Thaw - Jersey Shore
May 3-5
Spring Thaw - Connecticut
May 10-12
Denis duPlanti - Delaware
May 10-12
Girls Tournament - New Jersey
May 17-19
New Jersey Spring Classic
May 17-19
Mite Meltdown - Delaware
June 1-2
Summer Sizzler - Hershey, PA
June 7-9
Summer Sizzler - Pittsburgh
June 14-16
Mikey Nichols - New Jersey
June 21-23
Summer Sizzler - New Jersey
July 12-14
Summer Sizzler - Delaware
July 19-21
Defender Hockey Tournaments is announcing a 25% Off Discount for ALL Mite Divisions!
Choose your tournament and use code 25%OFF-MITES for a 25% discount!
You can find our complete list of tournaments, including the age divisions offered, here.
Defender Hockey Tournaments is excited to announce the launch of its new exclusive merchandise store!
You can shop the store here and use the sales code DEFENDER23!
Get your top of the line Defender apparel and accessories such as t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, slides and more!
Also shop an array of sticks for both goalies and skaters as well as gloves! To celebrate the launch of the online store, we're offering 20% off of hockey gear!
STICKS AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!
Ordering sticks? Pick them up at one of our Thanksgiving tournaments! Place your order by November 1st to ensure your stick's arrival in time for Thanksgiving weekend.
The Defender Hockey College Exposure Showcase saw the Lehigh Valley Phantoms emerge as the tournament champions with a perfect record. In their journey to the title, they began by defeating the Lancaster Firebirds with a score of 6-2 after overcoming an early deficit. Their second win came in a shutout victory against the Tom's River Blackhawks, ending with a score of 3-0. The Phantoms continued their dominant performance with a 7-2 victory over the Tri City Eagles in their third game. In their fourth match, they pitched another shutout, defeating the Mid State Mustangs 4-0. The championship game saw them take on the York Devils and secure the title with a 4-1 victory, completing their flawless tournament run.
For a full list of Defender Events, click here.
