- 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, held in 1972 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,

- 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.

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

2011 - NATCA Charitable Foundation
2010 - Children's Wish Foundation of Canada
2009 - Herb Brooks Foundation
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
2001 - Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada
1999 - Manitoba Moose Yearling Foundation
1998 - Minnesota Make-A-Wish Foundation