KMHA to host 39th Annual
Oktoberfest International Atom Tournament
- MEDIA RELEASE -
Kitchener, Ontario – The Kitchener Minor Hockey Association (KMHA) is proud to host the 39th Annual Oktoberfest International Atom Tournament this October, on the weekend of October 19 -21.
The tournament, an official Oktoberfest event and the premiere tournament for atom-aged hockey players, will feature 80-90 teams in six divisions of play. This year’s tournament will include boy’s teams from AAA, AA, A, and MD, along with, for the first-time ever, participation from girl’s teams from the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA). This will include girl’s Rep First and Second teams. It will also be the first time that the City of Kitchener will be hosting this annual event independently.
“I am pleased that Kitchener Minor Hockey will host the Oktoberfest International Atom Tournament in Kitchener,” says City of Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr. “I know this will excite many Kitchener residents because we are a community that is passionate about hockey, at any level. It’s in our blood.”
Teams will be given four round-robin games, plus a semi-final and final for those that advance. This tournament attracts some of the best atom-level talent from across the province, but is also open to teams internationally, with teams participating from the eastern United States and as far as European countries such as Sweden previously.
Games will take place in arenas throughout Kitchener with accommodations being provided by the Hudson Group.
"Kitchener Minor Hockey is energized and honoured to host and oversee the Oktoberfest International Atom Tournament,” says KMHA President Tom Graham. “Our committee and volunteers are excited about the tournament and our partnership with Bauer. We are looking forward to hosting the first-ever Girls Atom division in the tournament as well. A warm welcome to all atom players, parents and families to Kitchener and our tournament.”
Bauer will once again be supporting the tournament by providing the MVP’s of all divisions a pair of Bauer Skates, while also donating a Bauer Composite stick to each player on the winning teams.
Kitchener Minor Hockey will also be partnering with SportsXpress to organize several marketing and media initiatives for the tournament.
“SportsXpress is a community sports lifestyle media. We are dedicated to the full range of organized amateur sport and are excited to be involved with the tournament and the KMHA,” says SportsXpress President and CEO Walter Browning.
Registration will begin on or around May 15 on the KMHA website. Please note all gate fees are included in registration.
For media inquiries or more information visit the KMHA website at www.kitchenerminorhockey.com.
Or contact:
Hockey Office – 519-579-2229