The scholastic hockey season kicks off Wednesday with the Athletes Helping Athletes tournament’s opening-night doubleheader.
Revolution Ice Gardens will serve as the venue as North Penn faces Souderton in the 7:20 opener, followed by a 9:05 matchup between Central Bucks East and 2018 Flyers Cup finalist Central Bucks South.
The Wednesday’s games and the tournament itself figure to be competitive, tournament organizer Eric Tye says results are secondary to a greater cause.
“Hockey is the last thing the coaches and myself worry about,” he said. “It’s taking care of special-needs athletes. We have honorary captains for every game. The teams take the kids into the locker room, it’s just an awesome sight.”
Tye, who has only one hand, has had a decades-long stint in hockey as a player, coach, and administrator. He conceived the idea of the tournament, which, with the support of AHA founder Rick Leonetti, is now in its fifth year.
“We started in Year One with four teams,” Tye said. “In Year Two we went to six teams and now we’re at eight teams. I think last year we raised almost $17,000.
The tournament will feature 16 games between Wednesday and October 26. All will be played at Revolution Ice Gardens.
On Friday, October 12, the Flyers Alumni will take the ice against Team AHA which will feature local coaches.
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