SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A major women's hockey tournament is being held in Sioux Falls, just days after Boston College clinched a berth in the men's Frozen Four with a victory at Premier Center.
This week, 28 teams from 18 states, from Alaska to Massachusetts, will play hockey in Sioux Falls.
Scheels IcePlex will host the USA Hockey Women's Tier II 14U National Championship.
“As a parent and a coach, I've been fortunate enough to coach in the USA Hockey National Tournament, so I know what that atmosphere is like and what it means to win a national championship. There is no greater hockey tournament in the United States than representing your team in this tournament,” said Brian Prithbe, Seals IcePlex General Manager.
IcePlex General Manager Brian Prizbe said it was a team effort to bring the five-day tournament to Sioux Falls.
“Our local association, the Sioux Falls Flyers, along with the Seals Iceplex, submitted a bid to USA Hockey two years ago. USA Hockey reviews all of these bids and is fortunate to be selected for the first time. “We were able to do that,” Prizbe said.
“Their package was an incredible package. Great, great facility,” said tournament lead director Kathleen Smith. “This week is called Nationals Week, so we're all over the country, and you couldn't ask for a better facility. This is just phenomenal,” Smith added.
Kathleen Smith is the tournament's lead director and said the top 5 percent of players in this age group will be showcased in Sioux Falls.
“They've been working hard all year, they're peaking at the right time, and we're going to see some very good hockey. People think women's hockey isn't physical, but it's actually pretty physical. Yes,” Smith said.
And the competition is free of charge.
“They're the best hockey players of their U14 age group from all over the country, so it's going to be good hockey, good competitive hockey. And once again, they have the right to say they're national champions. We are fighting for it,” Prizbe said.
The tournament will be held at the Seals IcePlex through the weekend, with championship games scheduled for Sunday morning at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
