Weekend Wrap: Season Ramps Up With Busy Holiday Weekend
Now that the unofficial opening weekend of the 2025-26 North American youth hockey season is behind us, we already are preparing for the fourth weekend of official regular-season games.
Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, though, let’s look back at Labor Day Weekend, the busiest early-season weekend of the year. Labor Day Weekend this year also included some of the first official games involving Canadian teams for 2025-26.
One of the early season highlights every year for many top U.S. Girls Tier 1 and Tier 2 programs is the North American Hockey Academy’s Labor Day Tournament in Massachusetts. This year’s event ran from Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 and featured teams competing in the 14U, 16U and 19U age groups.
A second big early-season girls tournament, the Premier Ice Prospects Labor Day Girls Fest, was held Aug. 29-31 in Pittsburgh. Featuring both USA Tier 1 Girls and Canadian AA Girls teams, this event annually is attended by nearly 50 college coaches and scouts as they flock to see some of the top 14U/U15 16U/U18 and 19U/U22 players in North America.
For U.S. Boys Tier 1 teams, the Chicago Mission, traditionally one of the nation’s top programs in most age groups, hosted the Mission Labor Day Showcase Aug. 29 to Sept. 1. More than 70 teams, many representing top U.S. Tier 1 organizations, competed at eight age levels.
Moving back to the East Coast, another large Tier 1 and 2 Boys tournament was held at 20 different Massachusetts and Rhode Island ice rinks. The Eastern Alliance Kickoff boasted more than 250 teams spread out across 18 divisions competing at the 14U, 15O, 16U and 18U age levels. The tournament ran Aug. 29 through Sept. 1.
Meanwhile, everything may not be bigger in Texas when it comes to hockey tournaments, but for Labor Day Weekend the Dallas Stars hosted 120-plus USA Boys Tier 2 teams (and a few girls teams) for its Texas Hockey Tournament Series Labor Day Kickoff. Teams in Texas competed in the 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U age groups from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
The puck didn’t drop until Saturday, Aug. 30, at the NAHA Labor Day Tournament in Massachusetts, but between then and Monday, Sept. 1, nearly 100 Tier 1 and Tier 2 USA Girls teams representing some of the top youth organizations in the nation faced off.
There were 29 14U teams, 32 16U teams and 38 19U teams attending the tournament, which was held at seven suburban Boston ice rinks. Six of the seven rinks are serviced by LiveBarn, so most games should be available for on-demand viewing.
CLICK HERE for tournament information, the schedule, scores, stats and standings.
The NAHA Labor Day Tournament included teams from as far away as California, Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois to the west and from New Jersey, Maryland and Florida to the south.
NAHA Labor Day Tournament 14U
Top Competing Team Records
Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps ’12 (3-1-1)
Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps ’11 (6-0-0)
Lovell Academy (2-2-0)
Massachusetts Spitfires (2-3-0)
Team Illinois (5-1-0)
Minuteman Lady Flames Gold (4-1-0)
Team Wisconsin (4-1-0)
Valley Jr. Warriors (4-1-0)
Team Colorado (2-3-0)
Washington Pride (2-3-0)
Mid-Fairfield Stars Major 2 (6-0-0)
Islanders Hockey Club West (5-1-0)
Assabet Valley Red Major 2 (3-0-1)
Boston Jr. Eagles Gold (3-2-0)
Bay State Breakers White (2-3-0)
14U 2 Championship Game
Mid-Fairfield Stars Major 2 (2), Islanders Hockey Club West (1)
Stars goalie Molly Wetmore stopped 30 shots, and Chloe Coretti scored the game-winning goal on the power play in the second period as Mid-Fairfield captured the 14U 2 title. Lauren Allred had the other Stars goal, while Brooklyn Enwright scored for IHC.
14U 1 Championship Game
Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps ’11 (3), Team Illinois (2)
Joey Hartle was one of three Minnesota players to score, but her tally late in the second period proved to be the game-winning goal for the Whitecaps. Chloe Kotzenmacher and Piper Grinsteinner also scored for the winners, while Ava Murphy and Ainsley Washo tallied for Illinois. Reese Kvasager earned the win in goal.
NAHA Labor Day Tournament 16U
Top Competing Team Records
St. Louis AAA Blues (4-1-0)
Winchendon School (0-2-0)
Anaheim Lady Ducks (2-3-0)
NAHA Red (4-1-0)
Team Wisconsin (4-1-0)
Arizona Kachinas (2-2-1)
Florida Alliance (2-2-1)
Lovell Academy Prep (5-1-0)
Valley Jr. Warriors (3-1-1)
Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps (3-1-1)
East Coast Valkyries (3-1-0)
Mid-Fairfield Stars Major 2 (3-1-1)
Lovell Academy Tier 2 (2-1-1)
Team Illinois (6-0-0)
Boston Americans (4-1-0)
Boston Jr Eagles Gold (3-1-1)
Northeast Generals (3-2-0)
Milwaukee Jr. Admirals (3-2-0)
16U Championship Game
Team Illinois (3), Lovell Academy Prep (0)
Team Illinois got three second-period goals, with Cassidy Cha scoring twice, while Cecilia Wielenberg was perfect in goal to record a championship-game shutout. Amanda Rosen scored the other TI goal.
NAHA Labor Day Tournament 19U
Top Competing Team Records
Boston Jr. Eagles Maroon (6-0-0)
Valley Jr. Warriors (3-1-0)
Northwood School (2-2-0)
NAHA White (5-1-0)
Lovell Academy Prep (1-2-2)
San Jose Jr. Sharks (3-2-0)
Team Colorado (3-2-0)
Boston Americans (4-1-0)
St. Lous AAA Blues (4-1-0)
Gilmour Academy (6-0-0)
Arizona Kachinas (2-2-1)
Connecticut Jr. Rangers (2-2-1)
Team Illinois (4-1-0)
Minuteman Lady Flames Gold (3-1-1)
CT Polar Bears Prep (1-1-3)
Florida Alliance (5-0-0)
NAHA Navy (3-1-1)
Milwaukee Jr. Admirals (3-2-0)
19U Blue Championship Game
Boston Jr. Eagles Maroon (2), NAHA White (0)
The Boston Jr. Eagles got goals in the first and third periods from Erin Flaherty and Chelsea Bell, respectively, while Annabelle Aitken posted a 24-save clean sheet as Boston beat the hosts to capture the 19U Blue title.
19U Red Championship Game
Gilmour Academy (3), Florida Alliance (2)
Ella Walbert scored at 8:53 of overtime after Maecyn had scored for Florida with 15 seconds remaining in regulation as Gilmour rebounded to earn the 19U Red championship. Emma Hilliard and Rachel Vicente scored in the middle frame for the Champs, while Grace Comiskey tallied to keep Florida Alliance in the game. Mae Steigerwald recorded the win in goal with 21 saves.
Premier Ice Prospects Labor Day Girls Fest
There were 66 teams in Pittsburgh playing Friday through Monday in the PIP Labor Day Girls Fest, with some of Canada's top programs sending teams for their first official action of the season.
There were 20 teams from both countries in five pools competing at the 14U/U15 level, 24 U.S. and Canadian teams playing in six pools in the 16U/U18 group and 22 U.S. teams competing in five pools in the 19U/U22 Division.
Girls Fest 14U/U15 Division Top Team Records
Oakville Hornets (4-2-0)
Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps Futures (4-2-0)
East Coast Wizards (4-1-0)
Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps (6-0-0)
Burlington Barracudas (4-2-0)
Little Caesars (2-3-0)
Boston Jr. Eagles (2-3-0)
Assabet Valley (4-1-0)
Nepean Wildcats (3-2-0)
Stoney Creed Sabres (3-2-0)
Windy City Storm (2-3-0)
Connecticut Polar Bears (2-3-0)
Chicago Mission (4-1-0)
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (2-3-0)
Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (4-1-0)
LA Lions (2-3-0)
Minnesota Northern Elite (3-2-0)
14U Gold Championship Game
Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps (6), Minnesota Whitecaps Futures (1)
After playing to a 1-1 tie through one period, the elder Whitecaps scored five straight times to earn the title. Leighton Kragness had three of those goals, with Audrey Lamantia, Kathryn Genia and Avery Wagner also scoring. Ruby Simet and Clara Milinkovich teamed up on the victory in goal.
14U Silver Championship Game
Oakville Hornets (3), Burlington Barracudas (0)
In a battle of Ontario, Audrey Slaney, Sophie Humphries and Maddy Haydar each scored for Oakville, while goalie Selena Skye-Bluhm recorded the championship-game shutout.
Girls Fest 16/U18 Division Top Team Records
Madison Capitols (3-2-0)
Mid-Fairfield Stars (2-3-0)
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (2-3-0)
Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps Black (6-0-0)
North York Storm (3-2-0)
Minnesota Whitecaps Silver (3-2-0)
Chicago Mission (5-1-0)
Stoney Creek Sabres (3-3-0)
Boston Jr. Eagles (3-2-0)
Connecticut Polar Bears (5-1-0)
Rochester Jr. Americans (3-2-0)
Burlington Barracudas (2-3-0)
Bishop Kearney Selects (4-1-0)
Assabet Valley (4-1-0)
Little Caesars (2-3-0)
Minnesota Northern Elite (2-3-0)
East Coast Wizards (3-2-0)
Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (4-1-0)
16U Gold Championship Game
Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps Black (3), CT Polar Bears (1)
The Whitecaps scored the game’s first three goals, with Mackenna Schlieman, Hannah Rychley and Ashley Babbitt denting the twine, and from there Minnesota cruised to the Gold title. Piper Tamm stopped 19 shots to earn the win in goal as Quinn Toll was the only Polar Bear to score on the Whitecaps netminder.
16U Silver Championship Game
Chicago Mission (4), Stoney Creek Sabres (0)
Audrey Snyder stopped all 13 shots she faced, and four different Chicago players scored goals, as the Mission earned the Silver crown. Charlotte Prodoehl scored twice for the champs, with Lilia Martin and Sarah Reeder each contributing single goals.
Girls Fest 19U/U22 Division Top Team Records
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (6-0-0)
Connecticut Polar Bears (3-2-0)
Nepean Wildcats (3-2-0)
Assabet Valley (3-2-0)
Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps (3-2-0)
Oakville Hornets (2-3-0)
Chicago Mission (4-2-0)
Stoney Creek Sabres (4-1-0)
Mid-Fairfield Stars (3-1-0)
Massachusetts Spitfires (4-1-0)
Ottawa Lady Senators (2-3-0)
Bishop Kearney Selects (3-2-0)
Burlington Jr. Barracudas (5-1-0)
Little Caesars (3-3-0)
East Coast Wizards (2-3-0)
19U/U22 Gold Championship Game
Pens Elite (2), Burlington Jr. Barracudas (0)
After battling through two scoreless periods, Mady Kirsch and Talia Mertens scored in the final 7:40 of the final frame as the hometown team captured the Gold championship. Mertens scored into an empty net to seal the shutout win for goalie Bianca Birrittieri, who made 37 saves in an outstanding performance.
19U/U22 Silver Championship Game
Chicago Mission (5), Little Caesars (1)
The Mission scored the first three goals of the game, with Kyla Schneider burying a pair of markers in the opening period, and Chicago cruised to the Silver title. Iris Cheng also tallied twice for the winners, and Laine Rettell added the other Mission goal. Delaila Polick netted the lone goal for Little Caesars. Caroline Hurst was the winning goalie, finishing with 26 saves.
CLICK HERE for the complete Labor Day Girls Fest schedule and scores
CLICK HERE for Labor Day Girls Fest standings
More than 70 Tier 1 USA Boys teams representing some of the top youth hockey programs in America competed in the Mission Labor Day Showcase Aug. 29 through Sept. 1 in Chicago. Teams at the 9U, 11U, 12U, 13O, 14U, 15O, 16U and 18U age levels participated, and as always, our focus is on ages 12U-18U.
There were five teams entered in the 12U Division, while the 13U Division featured 10 teams, 14U had 11, 15O boasted 12, 16U included 14 and 18U had 12. Most participating teams were based in the Midwest, but there were teams from as far away as New York, Texas, New Jersey, Florida, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Los Angeles attending.
The tournament was played at five different Chicago-area venues, each of which is serviced by LiveBarn, so most games should be available for on-demand viewing.
Labor Day Showcase 12U Division Team Records
Colorado Extreme (3-2-0)
Florida Alliance (3-2-0)
Chicago Mission (1-1-2)
Chicago Fury (1-2-2)
Windy City Storm (1-2-2)
Labor Day Showcase 13O Division Top Team Records
Minnesota Blades (4-0-1)
LA Jr. Kings (3-2-0)
Team Illinois (3-2-0)
Chicago Mission (3-2-0)
New Jersey Rockets (2-2-1)
Chicago Fury (2-2-1)
Labor Day Showcase 14U Division Top Team Records
Dallas Stars (5-0-0)
Chicago Mission (3-1-0)
Chicago Reapers (3-1-0)
Team Wisconsin (3-2-0)
St. Louis AAA Blues (2-2-0)
LA Jr. Kings (2-3-0)
Minnesota Lakers (2-2-0)
New Jersey Rockets (2-2-0)
Labor Day Showcase 15O Division Top Team Records
Windy City Storm (4-0-0)
Chicago Mission (4-0-0)
Team Wisconsin (3-1-0)
Chicago Reapers (3-1-0)
Indiana Elite (3-1-0)
Team Illinois (3-1-0)
St. Louis AAA Blues (2-2-0)
Labor Day Showcase 16U Division Top Team Records
St. Louis AAA Blues (4-0-0)
Team Illinois (3-1-0)
Windy City Storm (3-1-0)
Cleveland Barons (3-1-0)
United Hockey Federation (3-1-0)
Select Development Program (2-2-0)
Ohio Blue Jackets (2-2-0)
Minnesota Lakers (2-2-0)
Chicago Reapers (2-2-0)
Buffalo Jr. Sabres (2-2-0)
Labor Day Showcase 18U Division Top Team Records
St. Louis AAA Blues (4-0-0)
United Hockey Federation (3-1-0)
CarShield (3-0-0)
Ohio Blue Jackets (2-2-0)
Indiana Elite (2-2-0)
Chicago Mission (2-2-0)
Sioux Falls Power (3-1-0)
Chicago Reapers (2-2-0)
CLICK HERE for the Mission Labor Day Showcase schedule, scores, standings and stats.
More than 250 teams played in 20 different Massachusetts and Rhode Island Rinks Labor Day Weekend in the Eastern Alliance Kickoff.
Those Tier 1 and 2 Boys teams competed in 18 different divisions encompassing the 13O, 14U, 15O, 16U and 18U age groups, with games running Friday through Monday. This aannual Labor Day Weekend event included teams from the Eastern Hockey Federation, BEAST Tournament Series, United States Premier Hockey League and East Coast Elite League, among others.
The Red divisions in each age group included some of the nation’s traditional powerhouse programs such as Boston Jr. Eagles, Mid-Fairfield Rangers, East Coast Militia, Northern CT Nor’Easter, Cape Cod Whalers, Yale Jr. Bulldogs, Neponset Valley River Rats, Woodbridge Wolfpack, New Jersey Rockets and North Jersey Avalanche.
CLICK HERE for the Eastern Alliance Kickoff home page.
CLICK HERE for the Eastern Alliance Kickoff schedule, results, stats & standings.
CLICK HERE for a list of rinks that streamed EAK games
EAK 13O Red Division Standings
champions in bold
Minuteman Flames (3-1-0)
East Coast Militia (2-2-0)
Woodbridge Wolfpack (2-2-0)
Team Maryland (2-2-0)
Yale Jr. Bulldogs (1-3-0)
EAK 14U Red Division Top Team Records
champions in bold
Islanders Hockey Club (5-0-0)
Cape Cod Whalers (2-2-0)
Boston Jr. Eagles (4-0-1)
Woodbridge Wolfpack (1-2-1)
Neponset Valley River Rats (4-1-0)
Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (3-2-0)
Providence Capitals (3-1-0)
Long Island Arrows (2-1-1)
Boston Americans (2-1-1)
East Coast Militia (2-2-0)
Yale Jr. Bulldogs (1-1-2)
Atlantic Coast Academy (2-2-0)
EAK 15U Red Division Top Team Records
champions in bold
Minuteman Flames (6-0-0)
East Coast Militia (3-2-0)
Mid-Fairfield Rangers (2-3-0)
Woodbridge Wolfpack (5-1-0)
Islanders Hockey Club Prep (3-2-0)
Neponset Valley River Rats (6-0-0)
Cape Cod Whalers (1-2-1)
Connecticut Jr. Rangers (5-1-0)
New Jersey Rockets (2-2-0)
Boston Americans Prep (3-1-0)
Providence Capitals (2-2-0)
American Hockey Academy (2-2-0)
New York Dynamo (2-1-1)
Northern CT Nor’Easter (2-2-0)
EAK 16U Red Division Top Team Records
champions in bold
Neponset Valley River Rats (4-2-0)
WBS Knights (2-2-1)
Woodbridge Wolfpack (6-0-0)
Yale Jr. Bulldogs (3-2-0)
New Jersey Rockets (4-1-1)
Boston Jr. Eagles (2-2-1)
South Shore Kings (2-2-0)
North Jersey Avalanche (6-0-0)
Atlantic Coast Academy (2-2-1)
Islanders Hockey Club Prep (3-1-0)
New Jersey Hitmen (2-2-0)
Kuper Academy (3-1-0)
NEST Hockey (2-2-0)
East Coast Wizards (2-2-0)
American Hockey Academy (2-2-0)
North Suburban Wings (2-2-0)
Springfield Thunderbirds (2-2-0)
EAK 18U Red Division Top Team Records
champions in bold
Boston Jr. Eagles (4-1-0)
Northern CT Nor’Easters (4-1-0)
Woodbridge Wolfpack (4-1-1)
Yale Jr. Bulldogs (2-2-1)
Neponset Valley River Rats (6-0-0)
New Jersey Rockets (2-2-0)
Springfield Thunderbirds (3-1-0)
Little Bruins (3-2-0)
Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (3-1-0)
New Jersey Hitmen (2-2-0)
Brookline Whalers (2-2-0)
Texas Hockey Tournament Series Labor Day Kickoff
Part of the Dallas Stars Texas Hockey Tournament Series, the Labor Day Kickoff is one of the early season’s largest Tier 2 tournaments not located in the Northeast region of the United States; this year’s tournament featured more than 120 boys teams competing in 12 divisions across five age groups. There even were some girls teams mixed in and playing against the boys.
Top Texas programs such as the host Dallas Stars, Dallas Penguins, Texas Tigers and McKinney Northstars entered teams, with other clubs traveling from Florida, Oklahoma and California to participate.
Teams competed at the 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U age levels, with AA, A and A2 divisions offered. Our focus always is on 12U and older. The tournament ran Friday through Monday. The Tigers captured AA titles at the 14U, 16U and 18U levels, while Dallas claimed the 12U crown.
Dallas Stars youth tournaments are held in the various Children’s Health StarCenters located throughout the Dallas metropolitan area as well as the Comerica Center in Frisco. These facilities mostly are located within a 20-mile radius.
Most games should be available for on-demand viewing on LiveBarn.
Labor Day Kickoff 12U AA Top Team Records
Dallas Stars Elite (4-0-0)
California Wave (3-1-0)
Texas Tigers (4-1-0)
Oklahoma City Blazers (3-1-0)
12U AA Championship Game
Dallas Stars Elite 8, Texas Tigers (4)
Dallas jumped to a 2-0 lead in the opening period and extended it to 4-1 after two periods before piling on with four third-period goals to skate off with the 12U AA championship hardware. Mina Chen led the way with a hat trick, with Boone Salyer adding a pair of goals. Trenton Foster, Alex Tsediakov and Balise Gauthe also scored for the victors.
Labor Day Kickoff 14U AA Top Team Records
Dallas Penguins (4-0-0)
Dallas Stars Elite (3-1-0)
Texas Tigers (4-0-0)
McKinney Northstars (3-1-0)
14U AA Championship Game
Texas Tigers (6), Dallas Penguins (0)
Texas exploded for three goals in each of the first two periods and cruised to the 14U AA championship. Four different players scored for the Tigers, with Flavio Garcia tallying twice. Payne Deloach, Harrison Kethley, Coleman Plumhoff and Maddox Boyce also scored for the champs.
16U Labor Day Kickoff AA Top Team Records
Texas Tigers (4-0-0)
McKinney Northstars (3-1-0)
Dallas Penguins (4-0-0)
Texas Jr. Stars (3-1-0)
16U AA Championship Game
Texas Tigers (4), Dallas Penguins (2)
Frederick Juengling got the Penguins on the board first in the opening period, but the Tigers responded with the next four goals, scored by four different players. Kalle Nieminen, Hudson Waldron, Noah Stout and Benjamin Khalil tallied for the champs in slightly more than a period of game time.
18U AA Labor Day Kickoff Top Team Records
Texas Tigers (4-0-0)
McKinney Northstars (4-0-0)
California Wave (3-1-0)
Dallas Penguins (3-1-0)
18U AA Championship Game
Texas Tigers (4), McKnney Northstars (1)
Texas sprinted to a 3-0 lead in the first two periods and got an insurance goal from Victo Laos in the third to capture the 18U AA championship. Viggo Carell, Cole Anderson and Elijah Cavazoz had the other Tiger goals.
CLICK HERE for the complete Labor Day Kickoff schedule and links to scores, standings and stats
