ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks today announced a partnership with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), Team USA Hockey Club, USA Rollersports and The Rinks – Huntington Beach Inline to bring the 2010 AAU Junior Olympic Games for Inline Hockey to Southern California from July 1-11.
It marks the first time in tournament history, (began in 1996) that the event will be held west of the Mississippi River. Approximately 4,000 athletes representing 400 teams from 10 different countries will travel to Southern California for the tournament. Huntington Beach Inline, part of the Anaheim Ducks’ The Rinks development program, will serve as the Junior Olympics headquarters with one additional local facility (announced at a later date) also hosting games.
“We’re very excited to provide a stage for the world’s top inline youth and adult teams to showcase their talents this summer,” said Huntington Beach Inline General Manager, Ken Murchison. “This is another great opportunity to continue the growth of hockey in Southern California and we look forward to welcoming athletes and their families to the area for this great event.”
In addition to this year’s AAU Junior Olympic Games for Inline Hockey, the Ducks have signed on to host the tournament in the future. Of the 400 expected teams in 2010, over 200 are California-based, more than any other single state or country. The AAU hosted its first AAU Junior Olympic Games for Inline Hockey in 1996, consisting of 20 teams competing within one age group. Tournament organizers expect over 400 teams will compete in numerous age groups and divisions, approximately 50 international teams will travel to Southern California from countries as far away as China (Hong Kong), Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Germany and France. Canada, Mexico and Columbia have also committed numerous teams.
The AAU Junior Olympic Games for Inline Hockey will be separated into several divisions, consisting of both club and international competition. The AAU is the only organization that provides five guaranteed games for participating teams in all age divisions. Each team will compete in a four-game round-robin pool before being seeded in a playoff bracket. In addition to the AAU Junior Olympic Games for Inline Hockey, the Ducks and AAU have also teamed with the Federation of International Roller Sports (FIRS), the international governing body of inline hockey, recognized by the International Olympic Committee, will bring the inaugural Junior Women’s World Cup Championships to Huntington Beach as well.
“On behalf of all participating organizations and the world governing body, we are looking forward to our best Junior Olympics ever,” said AAU National Hockey Chair Keith Noll. “Our organization is thrilled to have the opportunity to join forces with the Ducks organization to bring this prestigious tournament to the West Coast for the first time.”
Huntington Beach Inline is an original member of the Anaheim Ducks’ The Rinks development program. Launched in February 2009, the Ducks now operate four local skating facilities consisting of two ice rinks (The Rinks Anaheim ice and The Rinks – Westminster ice) and two inline facilities (The Rinks – Huntington Beach Inline and The Rinks – Corona Inline). Huntington Beach Inline is located at 5555 McFadden Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92649.
For more information about the AAU Junior Olympic Games for Inline Hockey, please visit aauhockey.org
The Alex Ovechkins, Eric Staals and Vinnie Lecavaliers of the National Hockey League are already about one-third of the way through the 2009-10 season. And the minor-league professionals and collegians have been going at it since the first of November. But the weekend before Thanksgiving, the hockey spotlight was finally on the most important hockey players in the world. Our youngsters and teenagers – along with four adult teams — were at a rink in Myrtle Beach having a delightful time playing 2Hot4Ice hockey.
Inline Warehouse partners with the Tour Cup Series in Nation-Wide Skills Competition.
Loading ...