Young skaters take to ice in Alpharetta

A group of 12-year-olds will be smashing their sticks around this weekend as the Atlanta Freedom Cup 2009 Peewee Hockey Festival comes to The Cooler in Alpharetta.

Fourteen teams have signed up to participate from as far away as Tennessee, Florida, North and South Carolina, and as close as Duluth and Alpharetta.

"What we are trying to do is make Atlanta a hockey destination," said Gina Bennett, tournament director.

Most tournaments have several age groups, pitting only four teams against each other in each category.

Bennett said sticking to one age group creates more competition and excitement.

"We are trying to make it a public event as well," she said, inviting local families to watch the action.

The tournament starts with an All-Star Peewee Skills Competition on the ice at Philips Arena at 1 p.m. Friday.

The Atlanta Thrashers are sponsoring this event and offering discount tickets for that night's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Visit http://atlfreedomcup.com for details.

Play begins in earnest Saturday morning, with games starting as early as 6:45 a.m. and as late as 5:30 p.m.

Sunday morning begins the same, with seeds set for the afternoon games.

On Monday the championships will be held at 9:15 and 11:45 a.m., with award ceremonies following each game.

Bennett said hockey families spend a lot of money sending children to Detroit, Chicago and other places.

"But we have some pretty good hockey here," she said. "People are generally surprised that we tend to whomp some people ... It would be nice if the traveling was reciprocal, and get more of those teams to enjoy what Atlanta has to offer."

Discount hotel rates were established for visiting teams. She said the tournament fees were designed to offer a lot, with a four-game guarantee and scheduling to make sure local teams don't play each other for every game, and that visiting teams from each state have the chance for some new competition also.

"Our goal next year is to have 32 teams for this tournament," Bennett said.

At the end of the day, that will mean more children playing hockey here, so parents don't have to travel as much, either.

"I don't think that's an unreasonable goal or an unreachable goal," she said.

Public skates are available throughout the weekend, with morning and afternoon skates on Friday and Saturday for $7, with a $3 skate rental fee if you don't have your own.

Public skating also is open from late Friday and Saturday, and from 2-5 p.m. Sunday.

The cost is $7 or $8, with a $3 skate rental fee.

Vendors will set up to offer face painting and silent auction items will be sold.

A photographer will take pictures at the games, with proceeds benefitting the Atlanta Fire Peewee Major AA team, which won the right to participate in the annual Quebec International Peewee Hockey Festival, an 11-day tournament that draws 2,300 players from 16 countries.
- www.northfulton.com

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