- by Bruce Munroe

The idea for this tournament was born in the late 60's and early 70's. A friendly rivalry between members of Boston and Montreal centers in baseball, golf and hockey turned into the first International ATC Hockey Tournament in Nashua, NH, home of the Boston Center. They invited teams from New York, Chicago, Montreal, Moncton and Gander. The hangouts were the Legion, the Thunderbird Club in Lowell, Mass. and of course the halls of the Holiday Inn where a new sport was invented, "Newfy Races", our version of streaking. The Gander team flew to Moncton to join the Moncton team for a 12 hour bus ride. Four year old Jimmy Desmond became the mascot for the Moncton team. The FAA flag disappeared from the center and then disappeared from the room of the culprits.

An awards banquet was held on the last evening and it was announced that Moncton who arrived with lots of support from city council would be the next host. Where is this place called Moncton? Keddy's Hotel was home for 1973. New teams were added. This was the first year for Steve McGreevy Sr. and the Waz. Boston came in a motor home with a roof high enough for people to remove banners from streets. Newfy races were more organized with outside guests as spectators and our first major race injury was a dislocated shoulder.

In 1974 Montreal hosted. Newfy Races went outdoors including one heat from the International Hotel to the Holiday Inn (approx. a mile along the #2 highway). In 1975 we went to Aurora, Illinois, home of Chicago Center. The highlights were a night at the Elks Club, a girl named Tex, the Odd Couple and Waz playing pool on the Mezz of the hotel, sans duds. The tournament patch was introduced and receiving one each year has become a tradition. In 1976 we descended upon Gander Newfoundland where we took over several parts of town including the Curling Club which stayed open 24 hours a day. People to remember, Jennifer and Jessica. Remember the river boat filled with beer.

- by Pat Scanlon 

The Tournament begins with the drop of the puck in the first game on either the first Tuesday or Wednesday of March.  The actual start day is determined by the Host and stated in their bid package.  The Host will decide how many teams they can accommodate and limitations may be set because of availability of ice and hotel rooms.  Slots are filled on a first come, first served basis (sounds like ATC service provisions) by submitting a team roster and paying the tournament fees.  In recent years, entry fees have been between $250-$300 per person with 22-27 teams participating.  Non-players must also pay to attend tournament functions but at a reduced fee.  Tournament fees cover four games, refs and scorekeepers, transportation to and from the rink, some of the beer, a meet and greet event the night before the Tournament and the Friday night banquet.

Want to play but aren't on a team?  Read the rules and see if you meet eligibility requirements, then register on the website and put your name on the looking for a team list.  We have a player rating system to get you ranked and placed on an appropriate team...no experience or skill is necessary!  Think you can put an entire team together?  Start collecting that entry fee money and have your players arrange leave.  Tell the players who want to get back to you next week or next month that they need to pay up or they can't go.  If you wait too long you will not be sending a team.  Need a few extra players, read the rules for eligibility requirements to see who you could possibly pick up OR put a notice on the teams looking for players list.  The tournament is becoming more and more competitive each year so try to get in at least one skate before you go...at least check your bag to make sure you have all of your gear!  No matter what division you play in, many fierce games are played.  Time to pal around comes afterward.  If you fight, you are finished..no refund, goodbye, pack your bag, period. Most games you will find are played very cleanly, unlike what you may be used to on your home ice.

Schedules are usually published a couple of weeks before the tournament.  If you are playing against a team from another country, it is customary to exchange small token gifts with your opponent players.  Avoid embarrassment; when the guys from Moscow show up with gifts of Russian Vodka you'll be glad you prepared for that.

There is one other issue.  Most of you are hard pressed to get time off to go to the tournament, but if at all possible, get there a day or two early.  You will have more time to socialize in a leisurely atmosphere.  Once the tournament starts, the time goes by very quickly and the days/nights are full.  The tournament organizers can arrange for you to play informal games against local teams or other tournament participants, for a nominal fee.  Sometimes there are pick up games you can join in on.  These games are usually on Monday and Tuesday.  Most of the European teams are already in town because they like to stay for an entire week.

Read the rules and associated appendixes.  Everything you need to know about the tournament is contained in the rules and you need to be familiar with that information.  If you have questions, contact a Rules Committee member, a team rep, or the webmaster and they'll be glad to help you! 

When possible, the International ATC Hockey community adopts a charity for the tournament.  Some of the charities we’ve sponsored in the past include:

2009 -
2008 - British Columbia Cancer Foundation
2006 - Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada
2004 - Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada
2003 - Dreams Take Flight
2002 - Children’s Make-A-Wish Foundation
2002 -
2001 - Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada
1999 - Manitoba Moose Yearling Foundation
1998 - Minnesota Make-A-Wish Foundatio