This Blog provides Detroit area youth hockey news. It was originally the blog of the now defunct Detroit Hockey Association, the most affordable youth ice hockey organization in Michigan based at Jack Adams Arena in Detroit. The Clark Park Coalition keeps this tradition alive in Southwest Detroit.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Greatings from Columbus & Fantastic Finish to Hockey in the Hood

WOW!!!!! What a wonderful weekend.

The Columbus Ice Hockey Club would like to thank everyone from the Detroit Hockey Association for all their hard work and dedication to this splendid event. It was by our estimation the best HITH tournament ever!!! I'm only sorry that most of the Diversity Clubs were unable to see the two championship games.

Alaska gave Detroit a wonderful game that went to overtime and then shootout! I didn't think it could get any better, but the midget game was one of the best hockey games I've ever seen PERIOD. Speed, teamwork, emotion, effort, sportsmanship, it had everything we as program directors are trying to accomplish with our programs! I'd like to thank all who participated for a truly wonderful weekend and let you all know we in Columbus already miss you all.

Thanks again, and see you next year in Detroit.

John M. Haferman
Program Director
Columbus Ice Hockey Club

Note: The bantam final between the Wasilla Wild and Detroit Dragons finished regulation play tied 2-2 and Detroit won the shoot out. In the midget finals, Columbus vs. Detroit, the Dragons won 4-3. Both games were played at Joe Louis Arena and will be memorialized on the Willie O'Cup

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Press Release: Willie O'Ree Commemorated at Fourth Annual 'Hockey in the Hood' Tournament (updated with game schedules)

Detroit, MI (PRWEB) February 6, 2008 -- Willie O'Ree, the first black player in the National Hockey League (NHL), is to be commemorated with a championship trophy that bears his name, "The Willie O Cup" at the annual "Hockey in the Hood" (HITH) tournament. Hosted by the Detroit Hockey Association, the fourth annual HITH will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Willie O'Ree joining the NHL. http://www.HockeyintheHood.org

Over 400 inner city youths representing 22 hockey teams from Detroit and nine other U.S. cities will compete in this year's HITH tournament, running February 15 - 17th. In addition to the Detroit Dragons teams, the others represent: Boston, MA; Buffalo, NY; Chicago, IL; Columbus, OH; Mount Vernon, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Washington, DC; Wasilla, AK and Southwest Detroit's Clark Park Coalition.

Click here for the HITH IV Itinerary & full game schedule

Games in the fourth annual HITH will be played at the Detroit Hockey Association's Dragons home ice - Jack Adams Arena and at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum. Thanks to the generous support of the Detroit Red Wings, championship games will be played at Joe Louis Arena.

"Hockey in the Hood is the highlight of our season," says Detroit Hockey Association President Will McCants. "It is great to see inner city youth hockey players come from all across the country to compete here in Detroit. With this year marking the 50th anniversary of Willie O'Ree's breaking the color barrier in the NHL, it makes us especially proud to host a tournament celebrating what he symbolizes and continues to work for as Director of Youth Development for the NHL's Diversity Task Force."

The Detroit Hockey Association is more than just hockey. It's about youth development through hockey. For example, following the 2006-2007 season 98 % of its seniors graduated from high school and 95% went on to college. Throughout its history Detroit Hockey Association's players have far exceeded the graduation rates and college education ranks of their classmates.

For more than 30 years, the Detroit Hockey Association has helped develop youths both as skilled hockey players and men and women of character, guided by its motto "Where goals are achieved, not just scored." Its affordable programs have enabled many youths from low and moderate income households to experience the rush of the rink as they build values lasting a lifetime. The Detroit Hockey Association is member of the Little Caesar's Amateur Hockey League, the largest youth amateur hockey league in the nation. For more information, go to: http://www.DetroitHockey.org

SANDRA EGGERS
Purple Eagle Marketing
248-921-0232
Email us Here

Friday, February 1, 2008

Important Reminders - Hockey in the Hood IV is almost here

Skills Clinics:

This Saturday, February 2, 2008
- Mites/Squirts: 12:00 pm-1:30 pm (Squirts away game)
- Bantams/Midgets: 1:30 pm-3:00 pm.

There will be no clinics or practices on Super Bowl Sunday

**IMPORTANT HITH REMINDERS**

ADVERTISEMENTS FOR PROGRAM BOOK: Please remember the deadline for all ad sales is February 9, 20008. No exceptions!!!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST:
Each family has been asked to support our pancake breakfast by selling 5 tickets. The pancake breakfast is all you can eat for only $5.00 and will take place on Sunday, February 17, 2008 from 7am-1pm. If you have not received your tickets please see me this Saturday, money for the pancake breakfast tickets is due Saturday, February 2, 2008. (* please remember the player is free)

HOCKEY IN THE HOOD BANQUET: will take place on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at the Ren-Cen Marriott @ 7:30pm. All are asked to come and join us this will be a wonderful evening the tickets are $25.00 (players eat for free). We will need a count of who will be attending the banquet by this Saturday. Please let me know that you will be attending by Saturday!!

*Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns.

Thank You,
Cynthia Wardlaw
313-834-2563
313-727-7330