Coaches and Managers,

The annual Spring Classic hockey tournament will once again take place during the month of March at the Richmond, St. Norbert, Dakota, Varsity View, and Keith Bodley arenas. Last year, ninety-five teams were involved in the tournament. This year the tournament will commence on Friday, March 16th with the A1 and A2 divisions coming to a close on Thursday, March 22nd. This presents an opportunity for most teams, with the exception of the A3 teams, to wrap up their season prior to the Spring Break which begins on Friday, March 23rd.

Due to the late start in the WMHA Playoffs, we have been faced with a reduction of teams that will be available by March 16th. We therefore have reduced the number of positions that will be available in each age group. Realistically, the teams that are positioned in the top 4 of the Winnipeg West and East leagues will still be competing in the playoffs once March 16th arrives. We will therefore we will be focusing on teams that presently are positioned below that position in the standing

This year, the Spring Classic will involve teams in the Novice A1 category and teams in the A1 and A2 categories from the Minor Atom, Atom, Minor Peewee and Peewee divisions. We have also included the A3 division in the Minor Atom, Atom, Minor Peewee and Peewee divisions. Please note that the majority of the A3 games will be played from March 22nd to March 25th. The breakdown for this year’s entry fee is as follows, $ 760.00 for Novice, Minor Atom and Atom divisions, $ 765.00 for Minor Peewee and $ 780.00 for Peewee. Each team will be guaranteed four (4) games, however, the majority of the teams entered will play five (5) games. For example, in an eight team division, after each team has played three round robin games, the top four teams will advance to the Gold Pool which will see them participating in two additional playoff games. The bottom four teams will be positioned in the Black Pool which will result in the elimination of the teams that lose the semi-final game. The winner of the semi-final game will play their fifth tournament game in the Black Pool Final.

The first question coaches, managers and parents will ask is “Does the tournament conflict with post season playoffs?” There are no conflicts, as any team entered in the tournament will not play a tournament game until their participation in the playoffs has been completed. The scheduling process is therefore a challenge, but as teams are eliminated from playoff action, their tournament games will then be scheduled. The tournament schedule will be updated on a daily basis and teams must be prepared to play within twenty-four hours of their elimination from the playoffs. If a team has entered the tournament and their playoff participation extends past Friday, March 16th, their entry fee will be refunded and a team on the “wait list” will be substituted. I must emphasize that a refund of the entry fee will not be issued after February 1st unless a team is still active in the playoffs as of March 17th.

During the tournament, the players will receive a drink or food product after each game and they will also be presented with a tournament souvenir at their final game.

Don’t delay, the tournament entry deadline is Friday, February 24th!!

Click on the following links to download a copy of this information or the registration form.

Spring Classic Cover letter 2012                   Spring Classic Entry Form 2012

Should you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate in contacting me at 269-1908 or 895-7064.

Murray Harding
Tournament Chairman