What are the Garden Junior Mitten Games?
The Garden Ice Arena & Mens League Sweaters are hosting a draft hockey tournament August 4th-6th, 2023 supporting Mental Health Awareness with a portion of the proceeds going to Lory’s Place in St. Joseph MI.
We are raising money in honor of Derek Klobucher, a hockey player and close friend of AJ and Becky Glowacki. Derek was a decorated army veteran (awarded the purple heart), a son, a brother, an uncle, and a friend who took his own life on May 27th, 2018 at the age of 36. We all miss his big smile and even bigger heart.
Our donations to Lory’s Place in St. Joseph, MI will be used to support both their adult and youth suicide loss groups. Unfortunately, these bereavement groups have grown over the years since so many have lost loved ones to suicide.
We are raising money in honor of Derek Klobucher, a hockey player and close friend of AJ and Becky Glowacki. Derek was a decorated army veteran (awarded the purple heart), a son, a brother, an uncle, and a friend who took his own life on May 27th, 2018 at the age of 36. We all miss his big smile and even bigger heart.
Our donations to Lory’s Place in St. Joseph, MI will be used to support both their adult and youth suicide loss groups. Unfortunately, these bereavement groups have grown over the years since so many have lost loved ones to suicide.
Tournament Details:
- Friday, August 4th - Sunday, August 6th, 2023.
- (2) age divisions, upper and lower, to be determined based on the amount of signups per birth year.
Tentatively, 2009-2011 division, 2012-2014 division. - Players register as individuals
- Number of teams: 4-6 each age division depending on player registrations.
- Teams will be picked based on references and rankings provided during registration. Coaches will be assigned to each team and involved in the picking process.
- Teams will then play a round robin tournament of three games (one Friday evening, one Saturday morning and one Saturday evening). The two top teams will play in the Championship game on Sunday afternoon with the other (2-4 teams) playing consolation games Sunday morning.
- Registration is $150 per player, $80 for goalies. Optimal team makeup is 7 forwards, 4 defense, and 1 goalie per team but may vary based on registration. All teams will be provided jerseys throughout the tournament and given back after the final game.
- For hotel info in the area CLICK HERE
"Hockey participation offers families value beyond making an individual a better player or even a better athlete. The game of hockey is a powerful platform for participants to build character, foster positive values and develop important life skills. These benefits are available to all players, desirable to every family and transcend the game."