Sixteen teams in each age group will be vying for national titles. Competition begins on Thursday, April 6 and concludes with the championship games at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex on Monday, April 10.
The Pens Elite 18U team will be attempting to defend its 2017 national title.
In all, six Pens Elite teams will be competing in national tournaments across the country this week - the most of any AAA youth hockey organization in the country. The 14U and 16U girls teams will be playing in Detroit, while the 14U and 15U boys head to Scottsdale, Arizona.
For more information on the national tournaments, and for complete schedules, please go to
http://nationals.usahockey.com/2017
.
There are several former NHL players among the coaching staffs of teams coming to Pittsburgh:
- Former Penguin Chris Tamer is an assistant coach for Compuware's 16U team.
- Vaclav "Vinny" Prospal is head coach of both Tampa teams.
- Gino Cavallini coaches the Chicago Mission 16U team.
- Craig Johnson coaches Anaheim's 16U team.
- David Wilkie coaches Omaha's 16U team.
