The Pittsburgh Penguins Elite will host the 2013 Tier 1 USA Hockey National Championships Wednesday, April 3, 2013 through Sunday, April 7, 2013 at the RMU Island Sports Center and Bladerunners Warrendale.  The tournament will feature the top U14, U16 and U18 tier 1 AAA youth hockey players in the United States on their quest for a national title.

Over 700 youth hockey players from 36 teams across the country will participate in 75 games for the 5 day event.  Many of these players will end up playing junior or major junior hockey – USHL, NAHL, OHL, WHL, QMJHL – NCAA Division 1 college hockey and even professional hockey in the AHL and/or NHL.  For a list of players committed to NCAA Division 1 schools (several of them will be participating in the Tier 1 National Championships) click HERE.

Each age division will feature a team from the host Pittsburgh Penguins Elite.  The tournament  will have two conferences – the American Conference and the National Conference.  The American Conference will have teams from the Mid Am district, Michigan district, Atlantic district, New York district, Central district and the host Pittsburgh Penguins Elite.  The National Conference will feature teams from the New England district, Rocky Mountain district, Southeastern district, Massachusetts district, Pacific district and Minnesota/Northern Plains district.

Check out our social media pages – Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram – for updates of the tournament.  Feel free to send us your pictures, videos and comments regarding the tournament.  Also be sure to vote for your tournament MVP for each age division at QuestHockey.com/MVP for a chance to win some sick Quest apparel.

2013 USA Hockey Tier 1 U14 National Championship

In last years U14 division Belle Tire defeated the Chicago Mission to win the U14 National Championship.  According to MyHockeyRankings.com the top 5 ranked U14 teams in the country are Honeybaked (Michigan), Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep (Minnesotta), Team Comcast (Pennsylvania), the St. Louis Blues (Missouri) and Compuware (Michigan).  The host Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 1998 squad is currently ranked 33rd in the country.

American Conference:

Michigan: Honeybaked (#1)

New York: Buffalo Regals (#11)

Host: Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (#33)

Atlantic: New Jersey Devils (#9)

Mid-Am: Indiana Jr. Ice (#14)

Central: St. Louis Blues (#4)

National Conference:

Southeastern:  TPH Thunder (#17)

Minnesota:  Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep (#2)

Rocky Mountain:  Colorado Thunderbirds (#6)

Massachusetts:  East Coast Wizards (#28)

New England:  Connecticut Wolf Pack (#15)

Pacific:  Anaheim Jr. Ducks (#23)

2013 USA Hockey Tier 1 U16 National Championship

In last years U16 division Honeybaked defeated Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep to capture the National Championship title.  According to MyHockeyRankings.com the top 5 ranked U16 teams in the country are the Chicago Mission (Illinois), Compuware (Michigan), St. Louis Blues (Missouri), Honeybaked (Michigan) and the Colorado Thunderbirds (Colorado).  The host Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U16 team is currently ranked 15th in the country.

American Conference:

Michigan: Honeybaked (#4)

New York: Rochester Americans/Star (#48)

Host: Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (#15)

Atlantic: Wilkes-Barre Scranton Jr. Knights (#10)

Mid-Am: Cleveland Barons (#23)

Central: Chicago Mission (#1)

National Conference:

Southeastern:  TPH Thunder (#9)

Minnesota:  Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep (#7)

Rocky Mountain:  Dallas Stars (#18)

Massachusetts:  Boston Jr. Bruins (#58)

New England:  Connecticut Wolf Pack (#8)

Pacific:  Los Angeles Jr. Kings (#11)

2013 USA Hockey Tier 1 U18 National Championship

Last year Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep won the U18 National Championship by defeating the Mid-Fairfield Blues.  According to MyHockeyRankings.com the top 5 ranked U18 teams in the country are Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep, the Chicago Mission, Victory Honda (Michigan), Neponset Valley River Rats (Massachusetts) and Team Comcast.  The host Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U18 team is currently ranked 11th in the country.

American Conference:

Michigan: Honeybaked (#6)

New York: Buffalo Jr. Sabres (#16)

Host: Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (#11)

Atlantic: Team Comcast (#5)

Mid-Am: Cleveland Barons (#7)

Central: St. Louis Blues (#8)

National Conference:

Southeastern:  Washington Little Capitals (#15)

Minnesota:  Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep (#1)

Rocky Mountain:  Colorado Thunderbirds (#23)

Massachusetts:  Neponset Valley River Rats (#4)

New England:  Mid-Fairfield Blues (#12)

Pacific:  Alaska Jr. Aces (#48)

If you’re looking to catch some great hockey and some young up and coming stars, go check out a couple of games!  Best of luck to all of the teams competing!