President’s Cup Recap

Dual Celebrations at President's Cup Tournaments in Delaware and New Jersey

This Presidents Day weekend, February 17-19, 2024, youth hockey teams from across the region competed in the President's Cup tournaments held in Delaware and New Jersey. The championship day on Monday was the culmination of intense competition, showcasing the skills and determination of young athletes in various age divisions.

Delaware's President's Cup Highlights

In Delaware, the tournament featured 10U A and B, 12U A and B, and 14U A and B divisions, with each game bringing its own set of highlights and standout performances.

The 14U B division saw the York Devils (4-0-0) dominate the Jersey Colts (2-2-0) with a 4-0 victory, a game where the Devils' offense shone with 27 shots on goal compared to the Colts' 13. In the 14U A category, the Haverford Hawks (4-0-0) secured a win against the MD Jr. Black Bears (2-2-0) with a 5-2 score, in a closely contested match that saw the Hawks outshot 16 to 17 but still come out on top.

The 12U B division highlighted a tight match between the AC Sharks (2-2-0) and Tom's River (Red) (4-0-0), with Tom's River eking out a 1-0 victory, thanks to their 19 shots on goal. In the 12U A division, an exciting game unfolded between the York Devils (4-0-0) and Tom's River (Black) (3-1-0), with the Devils narrowly winning 3-2, showcasing their efficiency by capitalizing on their 29 shots on goal.

For the 10U divisions, the NYC Cyclones (4-0-0) defeated the Igloo Jaguars (2-2-0) 2-1 in the B division, in a closely matched game that saw both teams fiercely competing. The 10U A saw an impressive performance by the Palmyra Black Knights (Rochefort) (3-1-0), who overpowered the Igloo Jaguars (3-1-0) with an 8-2 victory, demonstrating a strong offensive play with 23 shots on goal.

New Jersey's President's Cup Highlights

The President's Cup in New Jersey paralleled the excitement seen in Delaware, with teams across 10U, 12U, and 14U divisions battling it out for the top honors. Championship day on Monday brought forward the culmination of a weekend filled with intense matches and remarkable skill displays from the young athletes.

In the 10U A division, the North Jersey Kings (Blue) (4-1-0) claimed victory over the Montclair Blues (3-2-0) in a close 4-3 game. The Kings' aggressive play was evident with 31 shots on goal compared to the Blues' 19, showcasing their offensive strength and resilience.

The 10U B division saw a high-scoring and tightly contested match between the North Jersey Kings (Yellow) (5-0-0) and the Skylands Kings (Navy) (4-1-0), ending in a 7-6 victory for the North Jersey Kings. Despite being outshot 35 to 27, the North Jersey Kings capitalized on their opportunities to edge out a win.

The 12U A division featured the Skylands Kings (3-2-0) against the North Jersey Kings (Blue) (5-0-0), with the latter securing a 4-3 win in a game that was a true testament to their undefeated record. The North Jersey Kings demonstrated their dominance by doubling the shots on goal, 42 to 22.

In the 12U AA division, the NJ Jets (5-0-0) emerged victorious against the Hollydell Hurricanes (3-2-0) with a score of 3-2. The Jets' offensive pressure was on full display with 35 shots on goal, ensuring their win in a closely contested match.

The 12U B division had the Mercer Chiefs (2-2-0) taking a narrow 4-3 win over the New Jersey Bandits (3-2-0). Despite being outshot 20 to 11, the Chiefs' efficiency in front of the goal led them to clinch the championship.

The 14U divisions were no less thrilling, with the 14U A match between the North Jersey Kings (Blue) (5-0-0) and the North Jersey Kings (Yellow) (3-2-0) ending in a dominant 7-0 victory for the Kings (Blue). Their unbeatable streak was bolstered by precision and teamwork, as evidenced by their 24 shots on goal.

Finally, in the 14U B division, the New Jersey Ice Dogs (5-0-0) secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against the Southern Stars (2-3-0). The Ice Dogs showcased a solid defense and took advantage of their offensive chances, with 33 shots on goal to seal their championship win.

The President's Cup tournaments in New Jersey and Delaware provided a fantastic platform for young athletes to shine, highlighting the depth of talent and competitive spirit within youth hockey. As the tournaments concluded, they left behind memories of exhilarating matches and the promise of even more excitement in the future of the sport.