Battle Of The Bay Hockey Tournament
If you're a hockey fan looking for an exciting event to attend, look no further than the Battle of the Bay Hockey Tournament. This annual tournament brings together some of the top high school and prep school hockey teams from across the United States for a weekend of intense competition. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the history, format, and top teams of the Battle of the Bay Hockey Tournament.
A Brief History of the Battle of the Bay Hockey Tournament
The Battle of the Bay Hockey Tournament was first held in 2006 and has since become one of the premier high school and prep school hockey tournaments in the country. The tournament takes place over a weekend in late January and is hosted by St. Paul's School, an independent co-ed boarding school in Concord, New Hampshire.
The tournament's name comes from its location on the border of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, near the historic Boston Harbor. The Battle of the Bay moniker also speaks to the fierce competition that takes place on the ice between these top teams.
The Format of the Tournament
The Battle of the Bay Hockey Tournament is a round-robin style tournament, with each team playing three games over the course of the weekend. The teams are divided into two divisions: the Elite Division and the Open Division.
The Elite Division features some of the top-ranked high school and prep school hockey teams in the country, while the Open Division is reserved for teams that are still developing and building their programs. Each division has four teams, and the winner of each division faces off in the championship game on Sunday afternoon.
The Top Teams to Watch at the Battle of the Bay Hockey Tournament
As mentioned, the Battle of the Bay Hockey Tournament attracts some of the top high school and prep school hockey teams in the country. Here are just a few of the teams to watch at this year's tournament:
The Hotchkiss School
The Hotchkiss School, located in Lakeville, Connecticut, is a perennial power in New England prep school hockey. The team has won multiple New England championships and consistently ranks among the top teams in the country. The Hotchkiss School is always a team to watch at the Battle of the Bay Hockey Tournament.
St. Paul's School
Of course, St. Paul's School, the host of the Battle of the Bay Hockey Tournament, always puts together a strong team for the tournament. St. Paul's has a rich hockey history, with multiple New England championships and several former players who have gone on to play in the NHL. This year's St. Paul's team is sure to make a strong showing on their home ice.
Salisbury School
The Salisbury School, located in Salisbury, Connecticut, is another top contender in New England prep school hockey. The team has won multiple New England championships and had several players go on to play in the NHL. The Salisbury School has a strong team once again this year and is sure to be a tough opponent at the Battle of the Bay Hockey Tournament.
Avon Old Farms
Avon Old Farms, located in Avon, Connecticut, is another strong team in New England prep school hockey. The team has won multiple New England championships and had several players go on to play in the NHL. Avon Old Farms is always a threat to win the Battle of the Bay Hockey Tournament.
Conclusion
The Battle of the Bay Hockey Tournament is a must-see event for hockey fans, featuring some of the top high school and prep school hockey teams in the country. With its round-robin format and championship game, the tournament offers plenty of exciting hockey action over the course of a single weekend. Be sure to check out this year's tournament and see which team comes out on top.