Buffalo / Niagara Tournament FAQs
6/11 UPDATES in YELLOW:
Registration:
How do we register our team?
You do not need to register. PYH is registering teams in order to take burden off of individual teams and to streamline comms with the tournament director. As of May 2, the following teams have been registered: Mite B He, Mite B2 Blue, Mite B2 Red, SQA, SQB, SQB2, GU10/12, PWA, PWB, PWB2, PWB2 BSHL, Bantam B, Bantam B2)
What is the registration cost?
The cost varies some by age group and also depends on the number of players on your team. So a Peewee team with 15 players would cost $98.33 per player.
Mite Half Ice: $620
Squirt: $1375
Peewee: $1475
Bantam (non checking): $1500
Bantam (checking): $1525
When and how will payment be due?
Team Head Coach or Team Parent will be collecting the registration cost in the month of June. Note that families may decide to pay for PYH Night at Riverworks at the same time or in the fall.
Timing / Games:
How many games do we get?
Each team is guaranteed 4 games. This could increase should a team make the finals of their division.
When do they take place?
Games take place on Friday, Saturday and potentially Sunday. Many teams will have 2 games Friday and 2 on Saturday (with a potential championship game on Sunday).
When will we get our game schedule?
Approximately 4 weeks prior to the tournament
When do I need to arrive by and when can I head home?
With games possible (likely) the 1st half of Friday, families should arrive on Thursday (11/16) and depart on Sunday (11/19). The exact timing of your last game will be determined by how far your team makes it. Some teams will play their last game on Saturday afternoon / evening.
Do we get to play an outdoor game?
Every team is guaranteed at least one game on the outdoor rinks (open air rooftop) at the Buffalo Riverworks complex.
Hotels:
The tournament handles all hotel allocations. DO NOT reach out to a hotel directly or book outside of the tournament. You can NOT use points to book rooms (“Please remind your parents that they cannot use award points to pay for their room since this would remove them from your room block and put your team in jeopardy of being removed from the tournament.”).
How do we pick our hotel?
Tournament hotels are spread throughout Buffalo and the Niagara region. PYH has identified 3 downtown Buffalo Hotels and 3 in Niagara (US side) that we will submit as our preferred hotels. Each team will decide if they prefer Buffalo or Niagara, and PYH will submit your team request for you. An email was sent to participating teams on 5/1 about this.
When do we know which hotel we are assigned?
Each team will learn which hotel they were assigned approximately 7 weeks prior to the tournament. At that time there may be a chance to request a different room type (assume 2 double beds per room).
What is the cost per room?
Room costs are in the $165 per night range. This can vary.
How do I make payment for the hotel?
You will make payment at check in.
Do I need to stay 3 Nights?
The tournament only requires families to stay 2 nights. That said, given the potential for an early game on Friday and potential game on Sunday, TH / FR / SA is likely to be the best way to go.
Can I add on an extra night?
Once we receive our hotel assignments, we will have an option to add on extra nights for families that would like to.
Events / Dinners:
Will we all get together at some point?
Will we all get together at some point?
Yes! We have arranged to have the full upper mezzanine at Buffalo Riverworks on either FR or SA night from 6pm – 11pm (long story short they will be having a band one of the nights and they need to lock that in). Kids will be able to go down to the arcade area downstairs during the event should they chose to. The cost is $35pp for ages 13 and up, $25 pp for ages 6 – 12 and free for 5 and younger.
The menu includes: "Taste of Buffalo" - Garden Salad, Baked Ziti, Potato Pierogi, Boneless Chicken Wings, Buffalo Wings, Roast Beef on Weck Sandwiches, Pizza (Cheese, Pepperoni, Veggie). Cookies & Brownies. Coffee, Tea, Soda In addition, there will be a cash bar.
We should know the exact night over the next few weeks.
Additionally, if the Sabres have a home game over these dates, we will explore a group block of tickets.
Transportation:
How do I get there?
Drive: Driving will likely be the most popular option (@ 7.5 hours).
Fly: Direct 90 minute flights from Boston to Buffalo run multiple times per day.
Walk: we do not recommend walking
Bus: We may gauge interest and explore a bus option departing from Hobo. More to come (maybe)…
Do I need a car?
With games spread across the area (Buffalo and Niagara are about 25 minutes apart), you will need a car or to arrange to carpool with someone. Teams attending in the past often figured out car pooling arrangements throughout the weekend.
Visiting the Falls / checking out Canada:
Will there be time to visit Niagara Falls?
Yes! While the exact time window will depend on your team’s game schedule, each team will have enough open time to visit the falls.
Do I need a passport?
Children 15 and younger can cross the border with a birth certificate or passport. For those 16 and older, a passport is required to cross over to the Canadian side of the Falls. Many families may decide not to do so. The Canadian side has some very cool views (the Horseshoe, going under the falls, etc). Additionally, there is a lot of fun stuff for kids and families on the Canadian side of the falls (Ferris Wheel, Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum, Arcade, etc).
Swag / Gift bags, etc:
Will there be any coordinated swag bags, etc?
Each team is welcome to do this on their own. PYH will provide a high res PYH logo and the official PYH Tourney Logo to anyone who requests it.
That logo is sweet, can we throw it on a shirt or something?
We will have a small Arrow online store with some apparel / winter hat, etc
Does the tournament offer photos / swag?
The tournament has apparel available on site as well as professional photography.
MOST IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
Please note that like all tournaments, no team is guaranteed a spot. Sometimes tournaments don’t fill a division (example: may not have enough A teams to have parity in a division, so they decide not to have that division). This is not something we can control! We have been in contact with the tournament director and they understand that with so many teams attending, having 1 or 2 left out would be hugely disappointing.
More information about the tournament can be found at: