The Second Christmas Tournament, set for Dec. 27-30, will coincide with the Connecticut Cup Training Program, a scrimmage series featuring teams from the Northeast’s premier prep schools.

Both ice hockey events are being hosted by J.P. Igloo, in Ellenton.

The Connecticut Cup program will feature hockey players and coaches representing 10 of the Northeast’s major prep schools, including Avon Old Farms, South Kent, Canterbury, Salisbury, Kent, Choate and St Thomas More, of Connecticut; Deerfield Academy and Berkshire, of Massachusetts; and Lawrenceville Academy, of New Jersey.

Area players participating in the Christmas Tournament will have a chance to be seen and evaluated by prep school coaches, who can advise players and parents about opportunities available at their respective schools.

Tournament coordinator Frank Scarpaci, who promotes the tournament as “Beaches, hockey and prep school exposure. All in one place,” urges parents to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

“This is an excellent venue in which your child can be seen and scouted,” Scarpaci said. “Take advantage of this forum to have your child considered as a future prospect at these respected academic institutions.”

The tournament will feature competition in five age divisions, including Mite, Squirt, Pee-wee, Bantam and Midget. The entry fee is $695, including a three-game guarantee. All teams and players must be registered with USA Hockey; the tournament will be governed by SAHOF and USAH rules and regulations.

Entries will be accepted, on a space-available basis, through Dec. 9.

For more information call Scarpaci at 941-723-3663, ext. 33, or visit

COACHING CLINIC

Individuals interested in earning their USA Hockey Level 1 and/or Level 2 coaching certification before year’s end, have only one chance left to do so in the South Florida area, the weekend of Dec. 20-21, when off-ice clinics will be conducted at the Courtyard by Marriott-Weston.

All new coaches must first attend the Level 1. Upon successful completion, they may participate Dec. 21 in the Level 2 clinic. Pre-registration is mandatory, to ensure enrollment and receipt of training materials.

The Level 1 clinic, for new coaches only, will be Dec. 20, beginning at 5 p.m. The cost is $25, plus $15 to cover meeting room rental. The Level 2 clinic, for coaches already certified at Level 1, will be Dec. 21, starting a 8 a.m. The registration cost is $35, plus $15 for meeting room.

Registrants must attend the entire clinic. Late arrivals or early dismissals are not allowed.

Participants must write two checks. The first, covering the cost of the clinic, should be made payable to USA Hockey. Also a second check, for $15 to cover the cost of the meeting room — payable to Palm Beach Panthers.

Those coaches who plan to take both clinics may opt to stay overnight at the Courtyard by Marriott. Rooms at a special $59 nightly rate have been blocked under “USA Hockey”. Call Dottie, at 954-343-2187, to make a reservation.

A Level 3 clinic will be offered in Tampa, at the beginning of the year. Any coach with Level 2 certification will be eligible to attend. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged for this clinic.

To pre-register for a clinic, or to obtain more information, call Greg Richard, SAHOF associate coach-in-chief, at 561-333-7259 or 561-204-3502. Richard can also be contacted by e-mail at or .

ST. THOMAS WEB SITE

The St. Thomas Aquinas Hockey Club has launched its new Web site, where fans, players, friends and family can follow the progress of the St. Thomas Raiders Gold and St. Thomas Raiders Blue ice hockey teams.

Raidersicehockey.com, which is continuously being expanded and developed, features team news, rosters, game and practice schedules, results and photos. After only a few weeks, the new site already has garnered nearly 700 hits.

The Web site was created by Joann Grant, a teacher at St. Thomas and the club’s faculty moderator, along with her husband, Michael.

COACHES NOTICE

Bruce Mahlock, the SAHOF A.C.E. Coordinator, has issued an alert to all coaches and assistant coaches who are actively participating in the 2002-03 ice hockey season.

Beginning Dec. 16, coaches’ Coaching Education Program-level (CEP) cards will be inspected to verify their status and assure that the coaches are in compliance with USA Hockey requirements introduced this season.

Penalties may be imposed for coaches who fail to produce a current card, with appropriate, dated verification sticker. It will be the responsibility of the local association registering the team to enforce any penalties.

Between Dec. 16-31, prior to the start of each game and in the presence of the referee, opposing coaches must present their cards to one another for CEP verification. If a coach is unable to produce a current card prior to the start of the first period, it will be noted on the score sheet and signed by the opposing coach.

Coaches must be in compliance by Dec. 31, because, effective Jan. 1, their cards will be checked prior to each game. If a coach is not properly certified for the team/age division he is coaching, he will not be allowed on the bench during that game.

Beginning Jan. 1, all coaches from both teams will be required to sign the scoresheet, prior to the game, to verify accuracy of their rosters.

USA Hockey has established the following coaching required-education levels as the absolute minimum criteria. These CEP requirements must be monitored and enforced by A.C.E. Coordinators at the district, affiliate, association and high school-league levels.

Level 1 (Initiation), 2 (Associate), 3 (Intermediate), 4 (Advanced) and 5 (Master). After achieving Level 1 certification, coaches must successfully complete each ascending level before progressing to the next.

The CEP card of any coaches (other than Level 4-certified individuals) who received their accreditation more than three years from the current calendar year will be rendered invalid/expired. Coaches must take a refresher course at the same level, or attend a clinic at the next level, to keep their accreditation current.

THUNDERSKATE

Existing in-line hockey teams looking for some post-season competition, and new teams seeking tournament experience, will want to check out upcoming tournaments set at Thunderskate in Port St. Lucie.

There are two pre-season primer events, age-specific, one-day mini tournaments scheduled in December.

The first, set for Dec. 8, is for 10- and 12-under divisions only. The second tournament, featuring 14- and 17-under divisions only, is scheduled Dec. 21. The team entry fee is $350, including a three-game guarantee. Only a few spots remain open, and space is limited. Entries are being accepted on a first-come basis. …

The annual adults only Homerun Hockey Tournament, set for March 1-2, is a perennial favorite. The tourney, featuring Men’s and Women’s divisions only, is perhaps best-described as a hockey social with a baseball flair.

The fun in-line tournament also includes an afternoon at neighboring Thomas J. White Stadium, spring training camp of the New York Mets, where participants will enjoy a Mets exhibition game. The entry fee is $375 per team, excluding cost of baseball tickets. …

Youth teams will be back in the spotlight April 4-6, when the Black Biscuit World Tour makes its annual visit to Port St. Lucie. Prizes will include individual trophies and jerseys for the first- and second-place teams, plus Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Goalie Awards. The cost is $425 including a T-shirt for every participant. This event will feature competition in all youth divisions. …

The Mission Thundercup will roll into town May 2-4. The event, open to all age divisions, will feature individual trophies to first- and second-place teams, plus MVP and MVG Awards. The entry fee is $400. Participants will also be eligible for some valuable prizes, featuring Mission Hockey merchandise.Contact Mark Reimer at 772-343-9067 or .

SPORTS MALL YOUTHS

9-under Division

PANTHERS 5, BLACKHAWKS 2: Tony Perez and Zach Cangiano scored two goals each for the Panthers. Matt Henery also scored. Evan Steward scored both of the Blackhawks’ goals.

ISLANDERS 4, COYOTES 1: Brenden Resende scored a goal and made one assist to lead the Islanders. Joe Devingo, Gino Marchetti and Robin Frost also scored, while Joey Cagno had one assist.

Joe Hernandez scored for the Coyotes.

12-under Division

KINGS 6, BLACKHAWKS 5: Jeff Lipson scored five goals and assisted on Eddie McClain’s tally to lift the Kings past the Blackhawks 6-5 in a 12-under Sports Mall Roller Hockey League game. McClain returned the favor by setting up one of Lipson’s goals.

Charlie Fitzsimmons completed a hat trick and had an assist. Josh Glick and Anthony Gentile also scored, with Glick adding an assist.

BRUINS 9, CAPITALS 6: Kevin Mansolill and Sean Tennyson recorded four goals each to fuel the Bruins’ attack. Lee-Ann Carmen also scored, while Mansolill had an assist.

Johnathan Myhill scored two goals, while Sam Welch scored one goal and had two assists for the Capitals. Gia Marchetti, Colin Byrne and Dan Wolf also scored. Stephen Baldini, Sean Rafferty and Wolf each had an assist.

LIGHTNING 9, FLYERS 6: Zach Zeman completed a hat trick and made two assists to lead the Lightning. Trevor Nezwek and Chris Molina added two goals and an assist each. Brendon Finn and Zane Zeman also scored, with Teron Nezwek, Dylan Murphy and Zane Zeman each making an assist.

Flyers’ Ben Fretti recorded a hat trick and one assist. Andrew Migatz, Matt Uzzan and Brad Fretti also scored, with Migatz adding an assist.

15-under Division

AVALANCHE 12, MAPLE LEAFS 2: Greg Kneeves scored five goals and Austin Bombich capped a hat trick to lead the Avs. Joey LaRocco, Kevin Peach, Joe Stollings and Steven Levy also scored, with Stollings adding two assists.

David Siegal, LaRocco and Levy each had an assist.

Zach Venoker and Eric Bernstein scored for the Leafs.

THRASHERS 12, CANUCKS 1: Anthony Middleton scored four goals, while Andrew Beekman notched a hat trick and one assist, to lead the Thrashers. Nick Rand added two goals. Kostei Tigulev and John Torrents also scored. Chris Capandonis made an assist.

Branden Fryburg scored for the Canucks, assisted by Zach McLeod.

STARS 5, RANGERS 0: Andrew Campion and Cameron Abdullah tallied two goals each to lead the Stars, with Campion adding one assist. Max Horowitz also scored, and Nick Sipala made an assist.

PAHA LEAGUE Midgets

The Panthers Amateur Hockey Association in-house league, based at Incredible Ice in Coral Springs, still has openings for players in its Pee-wee Minor Division. The division includes players born in 1990 and 1991.The season will begin Jan. 4 and continue to April. The cost is $435 per player, including 12 games and 12 practices, plus playoffs. Coaches are also needed. Call 954-341-9956.

To submit information for this column, please call Maureen Boyce at 954-761-7675 or fax to 954-761-2311 or e-mail .