On behalf of the
Colorado Thunderbirds AAA Hockey Program, I
would like to thank you for inviting our teams
and for a great weekend of hockey. I know all
of you have worked really hard to make the
Nike/Bauer Tournament run so smoothly and
attract so many great teams and scouts.
Angelo Ricci ~ Colorado Thunderbirds AAA
I would also like to thank you and echo Angelo
statements . Great tournament Well run as always
and we appreciate the opportunity to
participate.
Kent Murphy ~ Colorado 95's
Thanks for the tournament, it was the best one
we have been to yet. Losing 4-3 in OT in qtr
finals is good enough for me. Always good to
get home early and watch pats game.
Thanks again
Mark Adams
Middlesex Islanders 97 coach
On the behalf of the Chicago Blues PW Major 95
team, we sincerely enjoyed the Nike Bauer
tournament and appreciate you allowing us to
participate. Our kids got a lot out of it –and
had fun in the bargain.
Lisa O’Halloran ~ Chicago Blues PW Major 95
I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how
great the tourney was. My team played very well
but unfortunately lost to Southshore in the
first game and didn't advance but nonetheless it
was great competition. Thank you,
Steve Dubinsky ~ Team Illinois 97's
Great tournament again this year. Thanks to you
and all the staff involved in pulling it
together and making it run so smoothly.
Stephen W. Boney ~ 1996 Pittsburgh Hornets -
Tier I AAA Hockey
It was good catching up with you yesterday. You
and your organization run an excellent
tournament, and we are proud to have had the
opportunity to compete there! Good luck with the
meat of the "rink season", now that you have
completed such a huge undertaking, and let's
stay in touch. Thanks!
Pat Ferrill ~ Vice President - Fan
Development, Philadelphia Flyers
I want to pass along a thank you from our team.
The size of your tournament is just unbelievable
and we had no problems at the rinks and the
hotel.
What a tremendously successful effort from you
and everyone in your group! I also want to thank
you for moving us up to the Nike division. We
didn't
play well, but the parity was there and we were
where we should have been, so thanks for that
too. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and we hope
to see you again next year.
Jeff Churchvara ~ Philadelphia Jr Flyers Pee
Wee Minor Team
Thanks for a great tournament.
Don Moorhouse ~ Head Coach, St. Louis 1995's
I first want to thank you for allowing us to
participate in your tournament this past
weekend. My team had an absolute blast and the
competition we played against was awesome! Our
kids said it was more fun than the state final
we have been to the past 3 straight years!! that
says alot! On behalf of the '96 Grand Rapids Jr.
Griffins, I want to say thank you!! We hope to
get invited back next year!! You can count us
in!! Thanks Kevin!
Stu Allen ~ Head Coach '96 Grand Rapids Jr.
Griffins
Magnificent event. The competition at our level
was fantastic. The opportunity for our kids to
share the week with the Red Army kids is
something they will remember forever.
The many hours spent at the rinks was enjoyable
as the games were on schedule, information from
your staff was always available, and you were
very successful (from the opening night
throughout the weekend) in creating a positive
atmosphere for the game of hockey. You really
provided an outstanding forum to showcase
everything that is good about kid’s hockey and
should be proud of what you accomplished.
Thanks for including our team and I will be in
touch. Regards,
Matt Kaplan ~ Team Illinois 97 manager
Great job on the tournament! Our meetings with
USA Hockey and Hockey Canada were a great
success! Our truck saw a lot of traffic during
the 3 days we had it set up. From a coach’s
prospective it was a great tournament as well.
It is tough getting that many teams involved and
determining how one gets into the sweet 16.
There were 3 teams in our division that all had
a 3-0 record, so we had to watch and wait until
the last game was played before we knew if we
made it or not. It was exciting for us. Thanks
and GREAT JOB!
Ward Hillegas VP Business Development NEXT
Testing, LLC
I just wanted to thank you for allowing our team
to play this weekend. It was a great tournament,
and easily the best run tournament our team has
been to. You do a wonderful job.
Mike Pippin ~ DJHA Peewee Minor Team Manager
Great tournament. It was run very professionally
and set up about as fair as possible.Thanks
Chris Sharp ~ 96 Fire Hockey Club
I just wanted to let you know what a great time
we had at the tournament on the weekend. Your
committee is to be commended on their tremendous
effort. Talk about organized!!!!! Thank you for
a terrific experience- and keep us posted for
next year!
Dana Harvey ~ Oakville Rangers Atom AAA
Thanks for the tournament, it was the best one
we have been to yet. Losing 4-3 in ot in qtr
finals is good enough for me. Always good to
get home early and watch pats game.
Thanks again
Mark Adams ~ Middlesex Islanders 97 coach
On the behalf of the Chicago Blues PW Major 95
team, we sincerely enjoyed the Nike Bauer
tournament and appreciate you allowing us to
participate. Our kids got a lot out of it –and
had fun in the bargain.
Lisa O’Halloran ~ Chicago Blues PW Major 95
Great Tournament!!!! Throughly impressed with
the organization and
preparation that you and your Organizing Team
went too. Super, first
class all the way. As you may have seen, we went
to the final 4 in the
Major Bantam Division.
Cheers ~ Ted Nishi Jr. ~ Toronto Jr Canadiens
93's
I really had a great time.Had a great visit with
Bobby Hull about the St.Catherine Blackhawks
where he played and I had worked for in the 60s
as a scout.Had a really great visit with the one
and only, Gordie Howe at the rink and than at
the hotel. Saw many many people from my past
that pleased me. Great job Kevin, you know how
to get it done. Thanks again.
Lou Vairo ~ USA Hockey
On behalf of the entire Long Island Gulls
organization I would like to congratulate you on
a job well done on this years tournament. We
look forward to this tournament every year and
this one might have been the best yet. Thanks to
you and your staff for putting on such a great
show. We will see you next year.
Santo Macaluso ~ Long Island Gulls
Midget Minor U16 AAA
Thank you for a well executed tournament and a
top notch competition. Our team had a great time
participating in this great event and we are
looking forward to returning again next year.
Regards,
Elena Shur ~ Little Caesars 93 AAA
I just wanted to say thank you again for all of
your help this past weekend. You did an amazing
job and it was a great experience for myself and
my team! The hardest shot contest was a huge
success and generated alot of excitement! Let me
know more about the April tourney after you take
a much deserved break!
Regards,
Greg Nichol ~ Demon Hot Shot
Thanks for your acceptance and hospitality
during the tournament.
Gary Camilleri ~ Mississauga Senators U16 &
Mississauga Braves 94's
Thanks for having the Honeybaked teams to your
tournament. After speaking to most of my teams,
they had nothing but compliments and praise.
Personally, I want to make sure you know that
your personnel at the Arctic & Darien were
incredible. I watched them handle issues with
patience and professionalism. They were always
readily available and were always offering their
assistance.
I know tournament directors get a lot of grief
and complaints, but our teams have always had a
positive experience. Thanks again for a great
tournament and a great time. See you soon.
Larry Knapp ~ Detroit Honeybaked DIRECTOR
On behalf of the Don Mills Flyers Organization
and the 95’s we would like to thank you for a
great tournament. It was a fantastic experience
for the boys and they loved every minute of it.
Great teams, great competition, great hockey and
great accommodations (Eaglewood Resort) – isn’t
that what it’s really all about? Looking forward
to all of it again next year.
Joanne Friedman on behalf of Don Mills Flyers
On behalf of the
’94 Jr. River Hawks of Lowell I wanted to thank
you and your staff for a truly memorable
weekend. The event was run in a First Class
manor. What a great touch to have 2 hockey
legends, Mr. Howe and Hull, there to meet and
greet the kids!
Your support staff did a fantastic job in trying
to ensure that we were well taken care of. The
accommodations were great as were the rinks that
hosted the tournament. And yes, the hockey was
some of the best I’ve ever seen. Best regards to
all!
Ray Jacques ~ Head Coach,University of Maine
‘85.Head New England Scout, Fresno Falcons (San
Jose affiliate), ECHL
This was my team’s
first time out to the tournament and I would
like to thank you for a great weekend. My team
really enjoyed themselves.
This was one the best and well run tournaments
that we have ever been in.
I am looking forward to bring a team out next
year.
Ed Mathews ~ Valley Jr. Warrior Bantam Major
Selects
First, I want to thank you for taking the time
to listen to Brandon. He is a great kid, and had
very strong convictions. I appreciate your time.
Second...the tournament was great fun....another
successful tournament.
Lisa Haig ~ Mercer Chiefs Director
On behalf of the Victory Honda 95AAA club, we
would like to thank you for an outstanding
tournament. You and your staff should be proud
of the fact that you have now established your
tournament as the premier event of the youth AAA
hockey season.
This was by far the most organized and
competitive tournament that we have been a part
of. It was great to see so many teams
represented from all over North America. It was
truely a "Nationals" type event.
Also, many of our parents/grandparents were also
thrilled about the no gate fee. Please consider
continuing that practice in future tournaments.
Again, thanks for letting our club participate
and we look forward to another invite next year.
Keep up the outstanding work.
Joe Suffredini ~ Victory Honda 95AAA Team
Manager
Just wanted to say "Thank You" for a great
Tournament. It was a great experience for our
boys. They played hard. Now they know what to
work on and what kind of competition is out
there.
Thanks again!
Lynn Edson ~ LA Selects Midget AAA 16U
Thank you for all the extra planning and work
involved in bringing a Russian team to the
tournament. It was the first time the Moscow
Silver Sharks have competed in the USA and the
host families and tournament have made a
wonderful impression on them. It was very
difficult for the host families as some had four
Russian boys and there were injuries and
language barriers. Everyone opened their arms to
the team and they are very grateful for the
experience and opportunity to play such fine
teams. Thank you especially to Jill Hare
Lewandowski for organizing the billeting and the
CYA and Team Illinois families who hosted them.
Celia Verrier
Great job on the organization of the tournament.
We haven't been to this tournament before but it
was very well done. We had everything we needed
well in advance. The check in party was great.
Very difficult to pull off a tournament of this
size but you did it very very well.
Sharon Keeney ~ Anaheim Jr Ducks Bantam 1993
AAA
Just wanted to
thank you for a great tournament. The
competition was very good and challenging for
the players. Everything was run smoothly and
professionally from the hotels to the rinks.
Rich Brusco ~ Team Manager ~ Team Comcast
AAA96 PeeWee Minor
Newron Sport, OneHockey and Encore Hockey would
like to say thank you for a great weekend and
for putting together such a large event. You
welcome party is something I will never forget.
What an event.
Sebastien Fortier - OneHockey, Newron Sport,
Encore Hockey
I have been taking teams to tournaments in North
America and Europe since I began coaching youth
hockey 7 years ago and have seen some well run
tournaments and some questionable tournaments. I
have to say that this past weekend puts the
NikeBAuer Invite at the top of the list.
Planning and coordinating a tournament with 280
teams is definitely a monumental task. Having it
run as smoothly as it did this past weekend is a
credit to you and your staff.
Watching the U16 game Thursday evening at Seven
Bridges with thousands of people in the stands
and the newly renovated building was an event
like no other. Having Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull
and the Stanley Cup in attendance was an event
in itself.
Throughout the weekend I heard nothing but
praise as to the games being on time and the
quality of competition. The U16 division was
fantastic and to have as many college and junior
coaches and scouts at this event was icing on
the cake. The opportunity to showcase these
players in this type of setting was by far the
highlight of the weekend. Having up to the
minute scores available on the website for
family and friends not at the event brought
everyone in the hockey community even closer.
Thanks for the great weekend of hockey and count
us in again next year.
Sincerely,
Gino Cavallini ~ St.Louis, Missouri
When will Pointstreak
be updated?
Marc Kapsalis President, Hockey Director
Chicago Fury AAA Hockey
I am the manager of the Rockets U16 team and
I just wanted to drop you a quick email to
congratulate you and your staff on running a
high quality, fun tournament. It was great
to play against, and watch, such high level
competition from all over.
Two suggestions that I would make would be
to have an ice cut for the Midgets between
the 2nd and 3rd period. Even though this
would take extra time, the ice is very, very
choppy by the third period.
I would also like to see a U18 division.
While there are not as many U18AAA teams in
the country, what team do exist are very
strong.
Ed DeSilva ~ Rockets U16
Kevin, this was undoubtedly the most
memorable tournament for both myself and the
team. The caliber of competition, with a few
exceptions, was superior to anything that I
can remember and the opening night set a
standard which far exceeds anything that I
have experienced in my 7 years of minor
hockey [that my son scored the winning goal
in the final game against Honey baked was an
unexpected benefit and a personal memory I
will treasure]. Congratulations to you and
the other tournament organizers for a
terrific weekend .
Best regards, Harvey Shapiro, President,
Toronto Jr. Canadiens
Thanks for allowing Team Wisconsin
Minors to participate in the U-16 Nike-Bauer
tournament this past weekend! We had a blast
and we will definitely be back again next
year.
Bill ~ Team Wisconsin Minors
Once again I feel compelled to drop you a
note to let you know how great the
tournament was. Everyone on our team, kids,
parents, and coaches, couldn't have been
more pleased. I know it takes an enormous
effort by many people, but I also know this
would never have happened without your
determination. Thanks.
Mark ~ Team llinois 93's
Having the Nike and Bauer division made
it the best competition. No weak teams at
all. We made some adjustment after Toronto
Redwings beat us 5 to 1. They really exposed
our weaknesses.
Thanks a lot again for putting on such a
great tournament, the best in the states by
far. We are looking forward to return with
all our LA teams next year.
Sandy Gasseau ~ LA Hockey Club / LA Selects
VP / LA Selects Peewee AAA 95 coach /
Westminster Ice Arena Owner
The Nike Bauer Tournament is a great AAA
Hockey Tournament. Thanks for allowing us to
compete in the tournament again this year.
Our kids have a way to go but it was an eye
opener for them to compete at this level.
Your staff was great to work with and made
the long trip worth the experience.
Chad Hayes ~ Manager ~ Anchorage North Stars
96
My son plays for the Westchester Express
with Chris Lombardo in Steve Santini's
program. We had the great fortune of going
to the finals and losing to Moscow.
It was the best run tournament we have ever
attended ... well done to you and your
staff.
Armand Uomoleale ~ Westchester Express
On behalf of The Milwaukee Jr. Admirals
we wish to thank you and offer an applause
to you and your staff on a job well done.
Our teams had a great time and loved the
competition. The events, the organization,
the competition, all first class. I am sure
it was a lot of work but you should be proud
of the experience and the memories that you
have given to all these kids.
Bob Delgadillo ~ President Milwaukee Jr.
Admirals ~ President Mid America Hockey
League
I just wanted to let you know how much
our team enjoyed the tournament last
weekend! What a great experience for the
boys. It was so much fun to see them
enjoying themselves. Their highlights were,
the Vapor mini-sticks, the Nike truck and
playing teams they typically do not see.
Memories they will have forever! Thanks. Stu
and I also really had a great time at the
reception. It was nice to be able to mill
about, enjoy the food and entertainment and
meet new people. The set up was really cool!
We commented that the boys would have loved
the music! Thank you again for a great
experience. I am hoping our team will be
included next year as well.
Nancy ~ 96 Jr. Griffin's
Thanks so much---great tournament by the
way! Everything was well organized, run
smoothly and excellent competition!
Patsy Frey
On behalf of the entire 94 Mississauga
Braves family, just a quick note to say
THANKS for a truly awesome weekend enjoyed
by all!
Your tournament was extremely well organized
and your staff members were beyond competent
and most hospitable.
On a side note, one of our players ended up
walking out of Total Hockey Downers Grove
with the "wrong stick", but the good people
there delivered a replacement stick Sunday
morning to our hotel, so our bus could
depart on time and we not have to venture
out of our way. Like they say, winning isn't
everything.
Harry Tideman ~ Manager Minor Bantam
Mississauga Braves
Congratulations on running a first class
tournament! Thanks for everything!
Chris Lombardo ~ Westchester Express 94
I just want to thank you for having us
we had a great time on the weekend, the kids
loved it.
Cambridge Hawks 95's ~ Ed
Kevin Thanks to you and your staff for a
great trip and tournament. Please pass along
a BIG THANK-YOU to all the billets.
Dave ~ Ridge Meadows, BC 1993's
Thank you for a great tournament it was very
well done on all aspects.
Al Winslow ~ Westchester Express 97’s
I wanted to add comments from a different
perspective. I was one of the many
scorekeepers working games during the
weekend. I wanted to send praises to all
coaches, managers, players, and parents from
the clubs that played their games at the
International Ice Center (Romeoville) for
the manner at which these clubs behaved
during the long weekend. I have read
assorted comments about on-time games. Among
many reasons were teams being ready to play
(even early), the players keeping things to
playing hockey on the ice. All helped with
making these games run as well as they did.
So pat yourselves on the back teams for a
job well done. I know I look forward to
being at next years event.
Ron Abels - Advanced Tournaments
I felt the tournament was an excellent
scouting opportunity. There was a great
group of teams competing in the tournament
and the tournament was very well run. I
would highly recommend it to both teams and
scouts.
Kevin Patrick ~ Assistant Coach Univ of
Wisconsin
I just wanted to thank you very much for
picking my essay.
I got the skates in the mail and I love
them! I had a lot of fun in Chicago at the
Nike Bauer Invite. Hope to see you next
year.
Patrick Dougherty ~ Philadelphia Little
Flyers 94's
