Benefits of Half-Ice Youth Hockey for 8U Players

The format of half-ice tournament games and small-area ice experiences offers many benefits that contribute to the developmen and enjoyment of youth hockey players and growth of the sport. At Showdown Tournaments, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting over eighty 8U hockey teams during the 2023-24 youth hockey tournament season. For years, we have proudly [...]

Hockey Parent’s Guide to Player Independence: When Your Kid Should Carry Their Bag and Tie Their Skates

It's a coming of age in youth hockey when you carry your hockey bag and tie your hockey skates. As a hockey parent, watching your child grow and develop on and off the ice is a rewarding experience. Hockey isn't just about scoring goals and making saves; it's also about fostering independence and responsibility. A [...]

6 Tips on Being A Great Hockey Mom

In the youth hockey world, there's a special breed of heroes: Hockey Moms. These incredible individuals embody dedication, passion, and support for their children's journey to the ice. As a hockey mom, you're not just a spectator; you're the heartbeat of your child's hockey experience – their biggest fan, mentor, and driving force.  Whether you [...]

Twas the Night Before the Country & Western Showdown Tournament

Twas the night before the Showdown, in Nashville's embrace, Where country and hockey, find their place. Seventy teams, with youthful delight, From sixteen states, gathered under the night.   In Smashville they gather, where guitars heartily strum, In anticipation of the 33rd Country & Western Tournament to come. With skates on their feet and dreams [...]

Hockey Poem: Eve of the 15th Capital Showdown Tournament

  In the quiet of night, before the puck takes flight, In the realm of dreams, where hopes ignite, The 15th Capital Showdown waits in sight, With fervor, passion, and boundless might.   84 teams, young players in their stride, Through the houses and hotels, whispers roam, Across the frozen rinks, where dreams find a [...]

Volunteering For Youth Hockey Players: The Spirit of Giving Back

In the heart of every hockey community lives a vibrant spirit of camaraderie and giving back. We're talking beyond the parent volunteers at the kids games. If you haven’t found the hockey giving back opportunities, we share a bunch of ways giving back to youth hockey that you may introduce volunteering to your youth hockey [...]

Guide to Being a Good Hockey Parent

What does it mean to be a good hockey parent… Youth hockey is a thrilling sport requiring dedication and hard work to excel for your youth hockey players and you as the hockey parent. The time commitment with travel, practices, and games is a lot for your player and for you as the parent. Whether [...]

Hockey Mom Tribute to the My Hockey Mom Prayer

In the whirlwind of holiday chaos and a busy hockey schedule, where the jingle of bells competes with the hustle and bustle of year-end festivities and you are racing to practices, team parties and hockey tournaments, Nelsa Roberto's "My Hockey Mom Prayer" emerges as a reminder to take a deep breath and prepare for every [...]

Youth Hockey Referees are Essential to the Game of Hockey

Youth hockey referees are an integral part of the game, ensuring that players abide by the rules and regulations while ensuring that the game is played safely. However, being a youth hockey referee is not an easy job. They face a lot of challenges, and it's important that we understand and empathize with them. Below, [...]

Happy Thanksgiving from Our Hockey Family to Yours

On this day of gratitude, our hockey family comes together to express our deepest thanks to the heart and soul of youth hockey, our hockey community. Today, we give thanks to the incredible individuals who make our hockey journey an unforgettable and exciting experience. To our dedicated coaches, who pour their passion and knowledge into [...]

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