Thank you so much. In just 38 days with 84 players, is now sold-out! This email will give you an outline of what to expect as a player/goalie for The Inaugural Pacific Northwest Draft Games April 17 & 18 at Tacoma Twin Rinks. And a thank you to our sponsors: Ironhorse Brewery in Ellensburg, Pure Hockey & Moonshine BBQ in Lynnwood, and Dan Cautrell Art & Design in Duvall. As a PNW boy who grew up at the foot of Mount Shasta, I’m proud to bring my hosting experience back home for a weekend you’ll never forget.

-Jonathan West

Pre-Game Checklist
-skates sharpened

-flip cup skills sharpened
-full gear (skates, sticks, shoulders, elbows, shins/knees, pants, gloves, helmet)

-get ready to make new friends

-find lodging

-find a good sippy cup

-don’t forget your mask!

Your Health & Safety
The Inaugural PNW Draft Games will adhere to health and safety protocols throughout this event. We are still awaiting Phase 3 guidelines from the Governor’s office and will update when available, but still ask that all attendees bring a face covering for the tournament events. You do not need USA Hockey certification, but will need to have full gear to participate. Also at the draft party lunch on Saturday, participants will sign a waiver of liability. Purposefully reckless/dangerous play or harassment/bullying/discrimination will not be tolerated.

The Lodging

Arrangements have been made at Home Towne Studios by Red Roof for any days you want to book & stay between Friday 4/16 and Sunday 4/19! Located just one mile from Tacoma Twin Rinks along Interstate 5. You may find a better rate online, but if you book with the group you can cancel anytime before 4/13 at 6pm. These room rates are good only through March 30th:

$55.99 for a single queen

$64.99 for a double

Call (800)733-7663 and mention this group code:

B1050HOCKEY

HomeTowne Studios Tacoma – Hosmer

8801 S Hosmer St

Tacoma, WA 98444

Also…have an RV? Contact us for details if you would like to bring it along for lodging.

Friday Night 4/16 Drop-In?
There is a possibility of having a drop-in hockey skate on Friday night to tune up before the tourney. If you are interested in this, please let us know. More info- including time and any cost will be available later through the Facebook event page and my website.

The Captains
The first six players that signed up in early February are the inaugural captains! And you will find out who at the draft lunch party on Saturday April 17th at 11am at the rinks 😉

The Jerseys
Envious Gamewear is our jersey provider this year, as you may have experienced these jerseys before in other tournaments. I did my best to average the sizes across all six teams for yesterday’s jersey order. Please bring an extra jersey in your bag if you foresee any issues. Thank you for your understanding.

The six different colored jerseys are still being created, but will honor our host rink by following the styles of the Tacoma Junior Hockey Association Rockets:

The Draft Lunch Party 4/17 @ 11AM
This is the kickoff event, and was moved to the weekend as well to accommodate other plans during the week. The event starts at 11am SHARP with a welcome gift by Pure Hockey, food catered by Moonshine BBQ, and refreshments by Iron Horse Brewery!

You do not have to be present to be drafted, but it is highly encouraged…and going to be a lot of fun! Also, the draft lunch party is not only an event to put players on teams…but throughout the draft is a team competition. The team who “wins the draft” through various challenges will get to pick their weekend game schedule and will be #1 for the final tiebreaker during round robin play.

The draft will begin with the six captains competing in a challenge to pick six goalies in round one. Whoever wins the challenge gets to pick first…then down the line. All other rounds of the draft will mostly follow this example- with more challenges than just flip cup 😉  And each team will get points added or subtracted for each challenge completed during the rounds.

The draft lunch party will conclude around 1pm and we will tentatively hit the ice at 130pm for game one!

50/50 Lottery
Be on the lookout starting at the Draft Lunch Party for the 50/50 raffle to support local hockey. Tickets will be available until faceoff of the championship game on Sunday.

The Schedule

The schedule of games has not been set yet, as I’m working with Tacoma Twin Rinks about that as we speak. Hopefully we will have six straight games on Saturday (two per team). After lots of “team bonding” on Saturday night, then a Sunday morning session to determine seeding for the afternoon games. Even when game times are set, no team schedule will be set until 1pm on 4/17 after the draft.

The Games
USA adult hockey rules will apply with two certified referees per game and these adjustments/parameters:

3 minute warmup
20 minute run time periods

1 minute period breaks
3 minute minor penalties/7 min majors
Fighters will be ejected and may face further discipline
Close game within 3 goals? The last 2 minutes will be stop time
3v3 overtime option for final three games
Win = 3 points
Tie = 2 points
Loss = 1 point
Disqualified/team no show = 0 points
Tie break #1 = head to head
Tie break #2 = least goals against
Tie break #3 = least penalty minutes
Tie break #4 = draft team score

All games will be announced with music stoppages. For the championship game, additionally the starting lineups will be announced along with a national anthem.

The captains of each team (along with their player’s feedback) will select the Pure Hockey Player of the Game for the opposing team at the end of each game. Professional photography will be done all weekend and team photos will be taken on the ice after your final game on Sunday. Check the Facebook event page or website for your photos!

If health guidelines allow, every game will end in a center ice handshake line. Locker room refreshments will also be available after each game.

Game Broadcasts
Watch the action through Facebook Live on the event page or website!  Tacoma Twin Rinks Live Barn.  Livebarn.com  use promo code: ea68-bb89 for 10% off

Saturday Night Shenanigans
Stay tuned to the website or Facebook event page for details on a possible social meet-up in the area of the rinks on Saturday evening April 17th..

Volunteer Opportunities
If you or someone you know would like to volunteer their time or intern during the 2021 tournament, please let us know!

Cancellation Policy
Jerseys have been ordered and the tournament has a very short waiting list, so please attempt to find another player to take your spot before cancelling for a refund before April 1st 2021. If on 4/1 the tournament date has to be moved due to health concerns or otherwise, a refund date will be reset.

Facebook Event Page Link
https://www.facebook.com/events/2723810547905858

Website Link
https://jonathanwest.live

Whew…tired of reading yet? Draft hockey is a month away…so rest up!

JW