RESTON RAIDERS SELECTED TO HOST
2010 U12 TIER II NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
RESTON, VA - The Reston Raiders have been selected to serve as the host club for the 2010 USA Hockey National Championships for the Pee Wee (U12) Tier II (AA) division, USA Hockey's National Tournament Director Norm Spiegel announced last week.
Following a lengthy bid process that produced more than 30 applicants, Reston, VA was selected as one of nine sites to host the event in what will be a new championship format for USA Hockey. After several years in which qualifying league champions advanced to District Tournaments to produce 12 national championship finalists, the 2010 games have been restructured to attract up to 48 teams, essentially one champion team from each state. The format eliminates the District Tournament thus creating a "super-series national," capable of attracting as many as 3,000 players and fans to Fairfax County, VA.
The tournament will take place April 7-11, 2010. SkateQuest Reston will serve as the host facility with overflow action taking place at the Ashburn IceHouse. Each team will play three guaranteed games.
Featured attractions include social events, a championship banquet and the Easton skills competition. The Reston's Pee Wee AA Raiders team will receive an automatic entry into the tournament as the host club.
"This is a great opportunity to put our program on the USA Hockey national radar screen," said Raiders president Chris Kelly. "Our entire club will come together with the community to make this a truly first class event for visitors and participants alike."
The bid was submitted as a joint venture incorporating the Raiders, Visit Fairfax (the destination marketing organization serving Fairfax County.) and the Falls Church, VA-based public relations and event management firm of Brotman•Winter•Fried Communication (BWF). Steve Winter, president of BWF and an assistant coach with the 2009 Raiders Bantam AA Tier II Team, will serve as tournament chairman.
"We're particularly thrilled to have played a role in securing these games for our county," said Barry Biggar, President and CEO of Visit Fairfax. "With our proximity to Washington, D.C. and all the great amenities Fairfax County has to offer, our destination provides the perfect venue for a national event. Plus, there's no better time to visit the Capital Region than springtime." Through their Amateur Hockey and Fan Development division, the Washington Capitals will also provide event support. Depending on the team's schedule and playoff status at that time, such benefits could include game tickets, the opportunity to watch the team practice and tours of their facility.
Tier II teams competing at the AA level will qualify for the 2010 national finals by virtue of winning league or state championships or qualifying tournaments, with the actual qualification format determined by each individual league. Qualifying teams could be determined as early as February 2010, with most decided by early March.
In addition to Reston, other cities awarded 2010 national championship tournaments include Green Bay, WI; Lansing, MI; Buffalo, NY; Woodridge, IL; Bensenville, IL; Wayne, NJ; West Chester, PA and Rochester, NY.
For additional information, contact Steve Winter at wint@bwfcom.com or 703-534-4600 x205 or visit http://www.usahockey.com/.
