USHL Spotlight
USHL to Host First-Ever Western Shootout
Wednesday June 20, 2012
The United States Hockey League, the U.S.’s only Tier I junior hockey league, today announced that it will host the 2012 USHL Western Shootout in Partnership with the San Jose Sharks from August 31st to September 3rd, 2012.
As the first official USHL youth event west of Chicago, and the USHL’s first youth tournament of the 2012-13 season, the event will provide the USHL’s 16 Member Clubs and USHL Central Scouting a comprehensive look at a national array of teams from three levels of AAA hockey - Midget Major, Midget Minor, and Bantam Major – each of which will be featured in its own tournament division. The 2012 USHL Western Shootout in Partnership with the San Jose Sharks will be held at Sharks Ice at San Jose, the largest hockey facility in the western United States.
“The United States Hockey League is delighted to be working alongside the NHL’s San Jose Sharks in presenting what has become the traditional opening event for the U.S. youth hockey season,” said President and Commissioner Skip Prince. “The Sharks have long been one of the National Hockey League’s leaders in the development and support of hockey at all levels, and it is a privilege to have the opportunity to partner with their organization in presenting the 2012 USHL Western Shootout in Partnership with the San Jose Sharks.”
The USHL, the Sharks and the San Jose Jr. Sharks – a youth hockey club offering competitive teams for players at various levels including Tier I AAA – will partner to provide an exciting tournament format designed to help the League and its Member Clubs identify the League’s and America’s future stars. Each team will be guaranteed four games, and each game will be played with two 25-minute stop time halves. All players will receive a participation gift, and trophies will be awarded to the Major Midget, Minor Midget, and Bantam Major division champions.
League and Member Club management will also be looking to identify top players to participate in its 2013 USHL Combines. Players will take part in information sessions regarding the USHL and the unique, education-based path it offers the world’s top players to the National Hockey League and NCAA Division I hockey. The best teams and players in the United States and Canada will be invited to the tournament.
Interested teams should go to the tournament registration page: Click this link to visit the registration page.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrated its 10th season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league in 2011-12. With 28 picks during the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and over 280 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools this season, the USHL has emerged as the world’s foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com or visit the League’s social media platforms, including Facebook (www.facebook.com/ushlhockey), twitter (www.twitter.com/ushl), and YouTube (www.youtube.com/ushlinteractive). Fans can also watch USHL action all season long, live or on-demand via FASTHockey (ushl.fasthockey.com).
It’s not just hockey. It’s the USHL.
