All local Michiganders looking for up and coming hockey players from across the globe will want to catch the Under-17 Five Nations Tournament being held in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this week. Those not local are still able to watch streams of the games provided here.
The tournament kicked off Tuesday, August 9, and will run through Saturday, August 13. Teams from the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United States will all participate. A full roster for team USA can be found on the USA Hockey website.
The tournament will feature a round-robin format where each team plays each other once with two games taking place on each day. The team with the highest point total at the end of the tournament will be crowned champions.
This is the first time that the U-17 Five Nations Tournament is being held in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and for many of the USA participants, it’s the first time wearing a USA sweater in international competition.
“It’s a huge honor,” said 15-year old goalie Devin Williams, who hails from Saginaw, Michigan.
The U.S. team has never played together before and will only be together for 11 days, something the coaching staff doesn’t believe will hinder the team’s success.
“We’re going to rely on our guys’ hockey sense,” said USA head coach Bob Corkum said. “We have a very good skating club, we have a lot of skill on both offense and defense.”
If you’re in the area, tickets for the games are only $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and children for a day pass that allows access to both games played during the day of purchase. A week-long pass can also be purchased for $40 for adults and $20 for seniors and children.
The tournament bracket and schedule is as follows:
8/9
Germany v Slovakia, 3 PM Est
USA v Czech Republic, 7 PM Est
8/10
Czech Republic v Switzerland, 3 PM Est
Germany v USA, 7 PM Est
8/11
Czech Republic v Germany, 3 PM Est
Slovakia v Switzerland, 7 PM Est
8/12
Switzerland v Germany, 3 PM Est
USA v Slovakia, 7 PM Est
8/13
Slovakia v Czech Republic, 3 PM Est
Switzerland v USA, 7 PM Est
