January 16-18, 2026
Utica, NY
Tournament Details
9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U
Boys & Coed
Tier I (AAA), Tier II (AA), Tier III (A, B, BB)
Four Game Guarantee
Pricing: TBA
USAH Sanction Number: TBA
- Games begin at 7:00am on Friday
- Championship games complete by 7:00pm on Sunday
- Schedule released 7 days before event
MLK Midwinter Meltdown
Overview
Join us in Utica, NY, the Gateway to the Adirondack Mountains, for an early season test to see where your team stacks up! Hosted at the Brand New Utica University Nexus Center, and Adirondack Bank Center, home of the AHL Utica Comets, the facilities will surely not disappoint.
Your team will match up against various quality opponents in the heart of New York State. With divisions available for Tier I, II, & III there are opportunities for many!
Hotels
Stay To Play Policy
This event has a “Stay To Play" hotel policy. All attendees/groups in need of hotels are required to book them through our official housing partner, TD Travel, in order to participate in the tournament.
No other rates, discounts, or reward points, (regardless of how acquired) will be allowed. No exceptions. This policy helps to ensure sufficient availability at quality hotels, and the best available rates.
Rooms will fill up quickly, please book well in advance
Schedule
The schedule will be released 7 days prior to the start of the tournament. It is important to monitor our website for updates. We will send emails to your team contacts as well. Please be sure we have your correct email addresses on file (coach and manager) to receive updates.
Be prepared to start at 7:00am on Friday, with championships ending on Sunday by 7:00pm.
Official Streaming Partner
Arenas
Utica University
Nexus Center
300 Oriskany St. W.
Utica, NY 13502
Tournament Headquarters
Arenas Below used for Game Overflow
Adirondack Bank Center
400 Oriskany St. W.
Utica, NY 13502
John F. Kennedy Civic Arena
Whitestown Ice Arena
500 W Embargo St.
Rome, NY 13440
1 Championship Dr.
Whitesboro, NY 13492
New Hartford Recreation Center
Clinton Arena
36 Kirkland Ave
Clinton, NY 13323
4 Mill St.
New Hartford, NY 13413
Rules
Derogatory Slurs
We continue to see and hear reports of derogatory slurs, behavior which is reprehensible and has absolutely no place in our game, especially around our children. In the past couple of years USAH has modified the severity of the penalty but it’s also vital that parents and coaches take the time to address the topic with their athlete.
Our affiliate protocol indicates that if a racial slur occurs in a game and not heard by the on ice officials, the coach/captain has to make the officials aware of the slur, the officials then must address the accusation with the opponents coach’s and at the conclusion of the game, issue an incident report with the accusations. The tournament does not have the ability to suspend or penalize a player or team for alleged and accused statements unless this is documented with the referees/scoresheet. Anyone penalized under Rule 601 (e.3) will receive a match penalty, which carries a major penalty, disqualification from that game, and suspension from further participation until such time the governing Affiliate has conducted a hearing to review the matter. Affiliates have up to 30 days to investigate and conduct a hearing and the offending individual(s) is subject to further discipline.
The use of hateful language is a hurdle to creating a welcoming environment for families that want to be involved in our sport. Eradicating this kind of behavior from our game is critical as we continue to make a positive impact on society through hockey.
Off-Ice Officials
Each team competing in a given game shall provide a penalty box attendant for their team's penalty box. In the event that parents are running the game clock, then the penalty box attendants are not required unless penalty boxes cannot be accessed from the score clock area.
Medical Personnel, Trainers and Emergency Protocols
Nickel City Hockey requires ice arenas to have a venue specific emergency action plan for our hockey events. Due to limitations with the availability, we do not require certified athletic trainers at those venues. Many teams have started to provide athletic trainers as part of their team staff for full contact playing divisions (13U and older). As an example, all Ontario, CA teams are required to have a certified trainer on their bench or coaching staff. We encourage teams, at their discretion, to provide athletic trainers if possible. Nickel City Hockey also recommends that any team or club with its own athletic trainer require the trainer to provide their own general liability insurance.
For any and all host facilities, the tournament protocol for medical emergencies is to follow the arena's actions plan. If a player is in need of medical attention, our site directors can help provide you with the closest immediate care facility or emergency room hospital. In severe instances, 911 is recommended for paramedics to arrive as early as possible.
General Rules
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1.1 Playing Rules
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USAH requires that our tournament be registered and that all participating teams, players and coaches be USA Hockey/Hockey Canada/IIHF registered.
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Tournament Sanction Number: Listed in details section on the tournament overview page.
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1.2 Length of Games
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There will be a 3 minute warm up for all games
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11-11-11 minute periods for Squirt Divisions
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12-12-12 minute periods for Pee Wee Divisions
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13-13-13 minute periods for Bantam Divisions
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No OT or Shootouts in Preliminary play
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1.3 Penalties
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Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam
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Minor penalties - 1:30 minutes / Major penalties - 4 minutes / Misconduct penalties - 8 minutes
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1.4 Running Clock
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Running time will be in effect during the 3rd period, only when a team is winning by 4+ goals. Stop-time will resume once the score is within 2 goals. (Example 8-6)
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Running time will remain in effect during Consolation, Quarterfinal, Semifinal, and Championship games.
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1.5 Home/Away Jerseys & Start Times
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For ALL games; home team listed shall wear its white/light colored jersey and the visiting team listed shall wear its colored/dark jerseys. Teams are asked to be at the rink at least 45 minutes prior to their scheduled game time. In the event the previous game finishes early, teams playing the next game will be expected to take the ice as soon as resurfacing is completed and/or referees are available. In no event, however, shall a game begin more than 15 minutes prior to its scheduled start time. If the on-ice and off-ice officials are ready, the game MUST START.
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1.6 Equipment
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Neck guards are required by USAH. All players must wear a neck laceration protector with no alterations. All players, including goalkeepers in the 11U through 18U age classifications are required to wear a colored (non-clear) internal mouthpiece that covers all the remaining teeth of one jaw, customarily the upper. For the first violation of this rule, the team shall be issued a warning. A misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player or goalkeeper of that team for a subsequent violation during that game.
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NOTE: Hockey Canada rules do not mandate the wearing of a mouthpiece at any age classification where a full facemask is required. Therefore, Hockey Canada registered teams are not required to wear a mouthpiece while playing in the United States.
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1.7 On-Ice Officials
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All games for all age divisions there shall be assigned by at least two referees. Nickel City Hockey will allow games to be refereed by one official in EMERGENCY situations. Only USAH officials will be used for the tournament.
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1.8 On-Ice Team Conduct
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Recently, we have noticed excessive incidents of verbal taunts and insults based on discriminatory grounds. Nickel City Hockey is committed to ensure greater safety and inclusiveness in hockey by identifying and addressing these issues with any player, coach or parent, in compliance with USA Hockey rules. ANY alleged discrimination complaint will have a mandated written report and will be addressed immediately with team officials and turned over to the Affiliate President, Chair of Rules & Ethics, and Chair of Suspensions.
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1.9 Off-Ice Officials
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In the event that scorekeepers are not available at the start of the game we ask a parent from each team to step in and run the clock & scoresheet for the game. Ask the rink director prior to your game and they will know whether or not a scorekeeper has been assigned. Each team competing in a given game shall provide a penalty box attendant for their team’s penalty box. In the event that parents are running the game clock then penalty box attendants are not required unless penalty boxes cannot be accessed from the score clock area.
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1.10 GameSheet Scoring
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It is the responsibility of each team to ensure your team roster is correct on GameSheet prior to each game and ensure appropriate changes/notations are made.
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1.11 Timeouts
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There will be NO Timeouts for Preliminary Round and Consolation Games. In all Quarterfinal, Semifinal and Championship Games, each team will be allowed a single one (1) minute timeout.
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1.12 Handshakes
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Handshakes shall take place immediately after each game.
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1.13 Results
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All games/scores will be posted on GameSheet and the tournament web page.
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Division Scoring, Tiebreakers & Overtime
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2.1 Preliminary Game Scoring
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2 points will be awarded for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. There will be no overtime or shootouts in preliminary games.
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Scores will be posted with a goal differential no greater than 7.
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Any forfeited games will be recorded as a 3-0 score. Any forfeited games affecting another team's playoff status, may be reviewed by the Tournament Director to determine which teams advance beyond preliminary round play.
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Use of ineligible players will disqualify a team from the tournament. Any games played by a disqualified team will be forfeited. No monies will be refunded.
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2.2 Overtime
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In the event a Quarterfinal, Semifinal or Championship game should end regulation time in a tie, it will be broken in the following manner:
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Overtime will be played during Quarterfinal, Semifinal, and Championship games only.
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5 minute sudden death (3 on 3) stopped time (switch ends).
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3 player “NHL Style” shootout. The Home team will decide if they shoot first or second.
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Sudden death shootout (both teams get to shoot each round). No shooter may shoot twice before every player on the bench has shot once. Players in the penalty box may NOT shoot in the shootout.
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There is no OT or shootout in Consolation games.
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2.3 Tiebreakers
To determine teams advancing to the semifinal and championship rounds.
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Total Team Points
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Head-to-Head (two-team tiebreakers only)
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Goal Quotient = Goals For / (Goals For + Goals Against)
Example Below
Team A: 16 GF 9GA Quotient is 16/25 = .640
Team B: 19 GF 8 GA Quotient is 19/27 = .704
Team B advances due to higher overall quotient
4. Least Goals Allowed
5. Most Goals For
6. Fewest Penalty Minutes
7. Coin Toss
Suspensions, Prostest & Expulsions
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3.1 Protests
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A game, including its outcome, may not be protested based on the judgments or “calls” made by an on-ice official. A game, including its outcome, may be protested based on the opponent’s use of an ineligible player, or on a gross violation of rules or of protocol that clearly has an impact on the game and that injures to the detriment of youth hockey. PROTESTS MAY ONLY BE RECEIVED FROM THE TEAM’S HEAD COACH, MANAGER OR CLUB DIRECTOR.
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3.2 Player Suspensions and Expulsions
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Any player who receives a major penalty for fighting, or a game misconduct of any kind, in a game, shall automatically be suspended from the balance of that game and his next game. USA Hockey Official Playing Rules shall govern the assessment of penalties. At the conclusion of each game, the coach of each team shall be responsible for reviewing the score sheet (front and back) to determine whether any player or team official has been suspended or disqualified from participating in any future game.
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The tournament, tournament director, and referees CANNOT overturn a Game Misconduct penalty. If the official scoresheet includes any game misconduct penalties, the penalized individual or individuals MUST sit the following game. There is no process that can overturn these calls within the rules of USA Hockey.
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3.3 Coaches, Parents & Other Team Personnel
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Coaches, parents and other team or association personnel may be suspended or expelled from participation in the event, including all games and removal from the rink premises, for conduct deemed by the Tournament Director to be detrimental to the best interests of youth hockey. Such conduct shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
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Fighting or inciting others to fight.
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Obscene language, conduct or behavior.
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Language, conduct or behavior intended to intimidate others.
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Refusal and/or failure to immediately heed a directive from a referee, from authorized rink personnel, or from the Tournament Director.
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Rosters, Team Placement & Credentials
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4.1 Official Rosters
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All teams will produce verification that the team is registered with USA Hockey, Hockey Canada or their respective European Ice Hockey Federation. All USA Hockey registered teams must provide a certified USA Hockey Official Team Roster, authorized by your District Registrar. Only certified team rosters signed off /authorized by an authorized official from the team's respective affiliate/ federation will be accepted. Teams must provide a travel permit only if their state affiliate requires one for their teams to play outside of their state. Non-US teams must provide an inbound Application for International Competition that has been approved by USA Hockey.
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4.2 Player Eligibility, Double Rosters, & Age Classifications
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No player is allowed to participate on more than one team in his/her respective age division, regardless of the Tier.
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A player MAY play on two rosters in different age classifications (i.e. 16U & 18U) - This player MUST be included on the certified, approved USA Hockey or Hockey Canada roster to participate with that team.
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Any team using an ineligible player(s) shall forfeit any and all games in which the individual player(s) has participated and the player(s) will be suspended for the remainder of the tournament.
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4.3 Team Placement and Division Breakdown
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The tournament division designations are NOT exclusive to teams officially rostered in those categories. The tournament divisions will be split, and teams will be placed according to their competitive level, based on prior schedules, results, ratings, rankings, previous history, and anything else to determine their level. For example, Tier 1 tournament divisions MAY include Tier 2 teams, and Tier 2 tournament divisions MAY include Tier 1 teams.
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4.4 Pure Birth Year Tournament Divisions
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The tournament directors are aware that not all hockey markets and regions are the same. Some organizations are still categorized with AA and A designations with combined birth year teams. For teams interested in attending that do not follow the pure birth year breakdowns, please contact the tournament director for your best placement in the event. Our goal is to provide the most competitively appropriate event for all teams and tournament divisions.
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If competitively appropriate, a small number of major birth year players MAY be allowed to participate in minor birth year tournament divisions. These players must be a part of the team’s certified, full season roster.
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