Nantucket Youth Hockey hosts Scallop Cup this weekend
BY LINDA WILLIAMS INDEPENDENT WRITER

Nantucket Youth Hockey will be hosting the first annual Scallop Cup Youth Hockey Tournament on Friday and Saturday, with championship games on Sunday, at the Nantucket Community Ice rink.

Youth teams of 15 will be playing in B Level Mites (8 years old and under), Squirts (up to 10 years old) and Pee Wees (up to 12 years old), in a round-robin format. Eight off-island teams will be participating: Canal, Medfield, Plymouth, Tewksbury, Southern Connecticut Stars, Waltham and Walpole.

More than 500 people from across the region are expected to come to Nantucket to watch their players compete in no less than 18 games spread out over three days. Tournament team organizer and NYH president, Duane Jones, said that off-island teams were eager to participate.

"We planted the seed last year, while we were still exploring the idea of hosting a tournament. Most teams replied 'We're in, just send us the information,'" said Jones.

In addition to ice hockey, Nantucket history will be incorporated into the weekend's slate of activities. Maria Mitchell Association will conduct a workshop on "Nantucket Scalloping." The organizers are encouraging all teams to visit the Whaling Museum and other NHA properties.

"We not only want to throw a great tournament, we want them to take a piece of Nantucket home with them," said Scallop Cup Committee member Sara Johnson. "It will be good for the island this time of year."

Hospitality and island quality of play are big components of this weekend's offerings, with the goal of having these teams want to make the trip regularly.

Since the rink opened in 2002, the popularity of youth hockey has seen steady growth. There are roughly 100 kids ranging in age from four years in the house mites program up to junior Whalers, which is made up of middle school players.

The Nantucket Elementary School and the Nantucket New School are planning to bring classes to the rink on Friday to watch the early afternoon games featuring their classmates, some of whom were featured on the front cover of USA Hockey magazine in March 2008.

Play will start on Friday at noon with six games. There will be 12 games played on Saturday starting at 7 a.m., with a BBQ lunch offered between 11a.m. and 1p.m. for players and spectators.

The top two teams at each level will play for the championship on Sunday morning, starting at 8 a.m.

For further information call Megan Maltby at 508-415-8431. I