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MINNESOTA MELTDOWN

  • Gender: Male & Female
  • Dates: April 19-21, 2024
  • Age: '16-'09 Boys | 10U-19U Girls
  • Location: Minneapolis, MN
  • Female Event
  • Division
  • Male Event
  • Team-Entry
  • Teams
Register Now!

Event Details

The 28th annual Minnesota Meltdown is gearing up for great hockey this April.  Come play in Minnesota's best AAA hockey tournament of the year.  We are offering 20+ competitive age levels of and expect to have the strongest field of teams to date. 

Boys AAA Invitational (Top AAA/Elite Teams)
2016-2009 Birth Years

Boys AAA Open (Mid-Lower Level AAA Teams)
2016-2009 Birth Years

Girls AAA Levels
10U ('13/'14), 12U ('11/'12),
14U ('09/'10), 16U ('07/'08), 19U ('06/'05/'04)

*Teams traveling from out of town will begin play on Friday when possible.

  • 4-game guarantee - possible bonus game(s)
  • 15 minute stop-time periods
  • Team trophies for 1st - 3rd place teams
  • Player awards for 1st and 2nd place teams
  • 20+ competitive age divisions available
  • Checking at the 2010 age level and older
  • USA Hockey rules will be followed with exceptions
  • USA Hockey, MSHSL, NCAA, and Canadian officials
  • No gate fees!  Free admission for all spectators
  • Free Tournament Mobile App
  • Fully-insured event (not a USA Hockey event)

NEW! Upgrade Your Experience: Supercharge Your Registration Now!
We are excited to offer an add-on premium experience as part of your registration. Click the link to learn more about how you and your team can make the most of your event experience.
ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE
*Select as an add-on during registration.

2024 Team Entry Fee - Pay in Full USD 1875 per team

2024 Team Entry Fee - Payment Plan USD 1925 per team
 
Register Now!

Contact

  • Name: Eric Knutsen
  • Email: eknutsen@playhockey.com
  • Phone: (952) 920-8826

Inquire Today!

Hotels

All visiting teams are required to stay at one of the sponsoring hotels!

For room blocks & booking help, please contact:
Lisa & Carey 763-772-3231
Lodging@TpiHospitality.com

Arenas

  • Brooklyn Park Activity Center

    5600 85th Ave N
    Minneapolis, MN 55443
    Get Directions
  • Richfield Ice Arena

    636 E 66th St
    Richfield, MN 55423
    Get Directions
  • Braemar Ice Arena

    7501 Ikola Way
    Edina, MN 55439
    Get Directions
  • St. Louis Park Rec Center

    3700 Monterey Dr
    St Louis Park, MN 55416
    Get Directions
  • Schwan "Super Rink"

    1850 105th Ave NE
    Minneapolis, MN 55449
    Get Directions
  • Vadnais Sports Center

    1490 Co Rd E East
    Vadnais Heights, MN 55110
    Get Directions
  • Eden Prairie Community Center

    16700 Valley View Rd
    Eden Prairie , MN 55346
    Get Directions

Rules

RESPECT THE REFEREES: ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY (NEW!)

Hockey is currently experiencing a disturbing trend towards increased verbal abuse and mistreatment of officials. North America is in a referee shortage, in part because of these kinds of behaviors. We are taking this very seriously in 2022 and standing by a strong initiative of Zero-Tolerance for all games!

Coaches, players, and spectators MUST never verbally abuse an official from the bench, on the ice or from the stands. Anyone that is identified as doing such will be removed from the arena without question.

Respect the officials that are working the games! Coaches coach, players play, and parents cheer! From mites to the NHL, referees are humans, doing their best for the game and deserve respect. Let’s make youth hockey a place our kids will one day want to become an official!

GENERAL RULES AND INFORMATION

  • All games are played under USA/Minnesota Hockey rules unless otherwise noted.
  • Only USA Hockey, MSHSL or Canadian certified officials will be used.
  • A medic/EMT will be present in every venue.
  • The tournament will assume no liability for personal injury to participants or spectators during the event.
  • An official roster must be furnished 30 minutes before the start of the first game.
  • Contact/checking will be allowed at the Boy’s 2008 level and older.
  • Slapshots will be permitted at all levels. Tag-up off sides will be used at all levels.
  • During a shorthanded situation, the shorthanded team will be allowed to ice the puck (original rule will be used).

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

  • A maximum of 20 players may be rostered for any team.
  • A team’s roster is frozen at the time the team starts their first game - no additions will be allowed.
  • All players must play at their age level or older - players may not play at a younger age level unless approved by the tournament director.
  • Teams that knowingly and/or intentionally play an ineligible aged player will receive an automatic 5-0 forfeit loss for all games.
  • Any eligibility protest must occur before the start of the game and must come from the head coach to be valid.
  • Invalid protests will result in a 5 minute bench major for the challenging team.
  • A player may participate on more than one team when the teams are in seperate age levels (example: May play on a 2005 and 2006 team).

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

  • Competition format will consist of round-robin play followed by seeded bracket and/or place games.
  • Teams listed first in parings will be considered the home team and will be asked to wear the light colored jerseys when possible.
  • Once a team is confirmed for the tournament there will be no refunds under any circumstance.

SCORING AND POINTS FORMAT

  • Teams will be able to earn up to 2 points per game. Two (2) points for a game win, one (1) point for a game tie, zero (0) points for a game loss.
  • If a team forfeits a game during pool-play they are required to forfeit all pool-play games in order to maintain equality in the standings.

GAME TIMES

  • All levels will play three (3) 15 minute, stop time periods.
  • A six goal lead at any time in the game will result in running time until the lead falls to less than six goals.  
  • The ice will be resurfaced every game all levels.
  • All games will be completed in the set amount of time allowed in the schedule.
  • Each team will be permitted one (1) 45 second time out per game.
  • Teams must be ready to play 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. Games may start earlier when time permits and when both teams are ready.

EQUIPMENT

  • The first team listed on the schedule should wear white (light) colored uniforms - when possible.
  • All players must adhere to their local hockey governing body’s rules regarding equipment.

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT

Minor = 2 minutes || Major = 5 minutes || Misconduct = 10 minutes Ejection = Player is removed from the current game only.

Game Misconduct = Player will be removed from the remainder of the game and serve an additional one (1) game suspension. Fighting = Automatic tournament disqualification.

  • Checking from behind will carry a minimum 5 minute major penalty plus a 10 minute misconduct.
  • Boarding penalties will carry a minimum 5 minute major penalty.
  • Any penalty deemed serious with an intent to injure will result in a 5 minute major and a tournament disqualification.
  • Any player receiving 3 penalties will be ejected from the remainder of the current game. A player from the offending team will be required to serve the third penalty. Any major penalty will count as two penalties.
  • All referee decisions are final. Protests will not be allowed.

OVERTIME AND TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURES

  • In no case will any team be credited with more than seven (7) goal difference for statistical purposes.
  • There will be no overtime in round robin pool play.
  • Overtime in seeded and/or place games will be considered an extension of the 3rd period and will consist of a five (5) minute, sudden death running time period. The period will be played 4-on-4 with goalies. If a tie still remains, a 5 player shoot-out will determine the winning team. If a tie still remains, a sudden death shoot-out will determine the winning team. Any player serving a penalty when the game clock expires will not be allowed to participate in the shoot-out.
  • *Tie breaking procedure for teams tied after round robin play:
  1. Head to head competition.
  2. Point differential (goals scored minus goals allowed).
  3. Least goals allowed.
  4. Most goals scored.
  5. Least penalty minutes.
  6. Coin toss.

*In the event three teams, in the same pool, are tied in the standing after pool play, the results against tied teams (RATT = wins, loss, ties) will decide the seedings. If the RATT can not determine the seedings, the tie breaking procedure beginning with point differential shall be used in succession until the seeds have been determined. The tie breaking procedure will not revert to any previously used procedure.

GOOD LUCK & HAVE FUN! PRACTICE GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, ON THE ICE AND IN THE STANDS.

 

Things To Do

  • Mall of America

    Mall of America is a leader in retail, entertainment and attractions, and is one of the top tourist destinations in the country. Attractions range from shopping, roller coasters and Sea Life!
    See More
  • Professional Sports

    No matter the season, you can catch a game at some of the top sports venues in America. Watch the Minnesota Wild (NHL), Vikings (NFL), Twins (MLB). Timberwolves (NBA), Lynx (WNBA), or United FC (MLS) while you're in town!
    See More
  • Valley Fair

    Visit Upper Midwest's largest amusement park, offering a day of family fun for coaster riders and young visitors alike.
    See More
  • Nickelodeon Universe

    Ride a rollercoaster or cross the park on a zip line at the largest indoor theme park in the nation.
    See More

Schedules

Standings and Stats

Girls Division

2024 GIRL'S DIVISION BIRTH YEARS

  • 8U = 2015 and 2016 Birth Years
  • 10U = 2013 and 2014 Birth Years
  • 12U = 2011 and 2012 Birth Years
  • 14U = 2009 and 2010 Birth Years
  • 16U = 2007 and 2008 Birth Years
  • 19U = 2006, 2005 & 2004 Birth Years

Tourney Machine App

Download the FREE app below on iTunes or Google Play for Android to view schedules, results and more...

iTunes App Download:  CLICK HERE

Google Play App Download:  CLICK HERE

Brackets