AHC Winter Classic

45th ANNUAL ARLINGTON WINTER CLASSIC TOURNAMENT

The 45th Annual Arlington Winter Classic Hockey Tournament begins December 14, 2024, and ends December 31, 2024. The tournament will be held in a round-robin format with 11 divisions, 4 teams in each division. Each team is guaranteed a minimum of 3 games, with the top two teams in each division advancing to the Championship game. The games will be held at the Ed Burns Arena in Arlington.

For more information, or for help with registration, please reach out to Matt Enos (mattenos@comcast.net).

Bantam AAA - December 26 - 28, December 29 Final

Bantam A - December 21 - 23, December 24 Final

Pee Wee AAA - December 26 - 27, December 29 Final

Pee Wee AA - December 20 - 23, December 24 Final

Pee Wee A - December 27 - 28, December 29 Final

Squirt AAA - December 26 - 27, December 29 Final

Squirt AA - December 26 - 27, December 29 Final

Squirt A - December 21 - 22, December 24 Final

Mite AAA, AA and A - December 22 - 23, December 23 Finals

• Games played December 14 - 31, 2024
• Location: Ed Burns Arena, 422 Summer St, Arlington, MA
• Round robin format with 4 teams in each division
• Three games guaranteed for each participating team
• Top two teams in each division advance to the Championship game
• Awards handed out at final games for Champions and Finalists
• Champion name is engraved on Winter Classic Cup!
• All teams must provide a USA Hockey Roster
• Entry fee $1400.00 for squirt, peewee, and bantam levels (due with registration along with USA Hockey Roster)
• Entry fee for mites will be $800.00 (due with registration along with USA Hockey Roster)
• During the tournament, teams will receive 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss
• The top two teams in each pool will advance to the Championship Game
• Tie breaks at the pool level are as follows:
•  Head-to-Head Record
• Fewest goals allowed
• Most goals scored
• Coin Flip

In the event that a pool has more than 4 teams, modifications can be made to the rules above at the direction of the tournament director or committee. Modifications may include play of a semifinal round/game under Championship Game Rules below with one exception;

In the event of a tie at the end of 4 on 4 Overtime play, a SUDDEN DEATH SHOOTOUT will determine the winner.

Visiting team shoots first.

Home team has the chance to score if the visiting team scores in the “sudden death” frame

Teams will have all players active for the game shoot if the session continues until a winner is decided.

Only after all active players have participated in the shootout can a team use a player a second time.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RULES

Championship games will be played at each level. For games that are tied at the end of regulation, the overtime rules described below will decide the champion.

BANTAM, PEE WEE AND SQUIRT DIVISIONS

• Three periods of 12-minutes each (stop time)
• Each team is allowed one timeout 
• Overtime will consist of one 5-minute overtime played at 4-on-4
• If the game remains tied at the end of the overtime session, a shootout will decide the winner
• A game that goes to a shootout will have:
• A three shooter minimum
• If the shootout is tied after each team's three shooters, the shootout will move to “sudden death” shootout 
• Visiting team shoots first, followed by the Home team; a team that scores in sudden death round when their opponent misses in the round is declared the winner
• Teams will have all active players for the game shoot if the session continues until a winner is decided
• Only after all active players have participated in the shootout can a team use a player a second time

MITE DIVISIONS

• Two halves totaling 50 minutes – 24 and 26 minutes
• Games are played on running time
• Overtime will consist of one 4-minute overtime session played at 3-on-3 
• If the game remains tied at the end of the overtime session, a shootout will decide the winner
• A game that goes to a shootout will have:
• A three shooter minimum
• If the shootout is tied after each team's three shooters, the shootout will move to “sudden death” shootout
• Visiting team shoots first, followed by the Home team; a team that scores in the sudden death round when their opponent misses in the round is declared the winner
• Teams will have all active players for the game shoot if the session continues until a winner is decided
• Only after all active players have participated in the shootout can a team use a player a second time