Delaware Spring Thaw

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Date Apr 24-26, 2026
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Location Delaware
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Ages 10U-14U
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Gender both

OVERVIEW

Kick off your Spring/Summer season the right way at Defender’s Delaware Spring Thaw. Held April 24–26, 2026 at Patriot Ice Center, this highly anticipated Round Robin tournament launches our annual Spring/Summer series with competitive 10U–14U matchups, great energy, and a fresh start after the regular season grind. It’s the perfect opportunity to thaw out, reset, and get back to playing fast, fun hockey in a family-friendly Mid-Atlantic destination packed with dining, shopping, and nearby attractions. Spots will move quickly—start your spring strong and don’t miss the event that sets the tone for the entire season.

*Players must play their age group for the 2026-2027 season.

Featuring:
Multiple Divisions/Levels
Competitive Format
Certified Referees
Championship Awards
Online Stats & Standings via Defender GAME CENTER powered by Time To Score
Live Streaming via Black Bear TV

Round Robin with Playoffs (Minimum of 3 games). Teams may play one or more round robin games DAY 1, one or more round robin games on DAY 2 with consolation/semi-finals and championship games on the final day. NOTE: Semi-Final rounds and/or consolation games are not guaranteed.

Divisional allocation is based on USA Hockey roster/age group classification for the upcoming season. However, the tournament operations staff may adjust placements to fit individual team competitiveness on a case-by-case basis.

Tournament game schedule will be released 7-10 days prior to the event start date.

Teams must arrive and be available in the local area by the day before the tournament begins and be prepared to play at 7:00 AM local time on the first day of the tournament. Departure should be scheduled on or after the final tournament day, with final games expected to finish by roughly 5:00 PM local time.

Disclaimer: We have noticed an increase in teams that have withdrawn from events at the last minute causing us to have to re-work the schedule. Please DO NOT make any plans that cannot be refunded based on the schedule you receive.

ARENAS

DIVISION / RINK LOCATIONS
 
Each division will be scheduled for one or more games at a primary rink, a secondary rink, or a combination of rinks; additional rinks may be added or existing rinks may be removed or changed as needed, and final division assignments and rink locations will be determined at registration closure, prior to schedule release.

Patriot Ice Center
101 John F. Campbell Drive, Newark, Delaware 19711

 
 
 

HOTELS

As a reminder, this event is a Stay to Play Event. All teams are to utilize official event hotels. Please click on the link below to secure your team block. Please make sure to designate the number of rooms needed each night when creating the block.  You will then receive a confirmation email that contains the booking information to forward to the team families so they may make their individual reservations. All hotels are convenient to arenas. Please make sure families only book via the link provided. Families are not to contact the hotel directly to book rooms for the event.
 
 
Please note, the link below will allow you to initially block a maximum of 18 rooms. Once your initial block is filled, rooms can be requested . Please email ibhcbookings@gmail.com to request additional rooms (once the initial rooms have been filled). 

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

10U

CV3 Hockey Development

CV3 Hockey Development

Capital Dragons 12U Red

HLH Elite SQ. Blue

Delaware Patriot Selects 10U Red

Delaware Patriot Selects 10U Blue

Little Devils

12U

CV3 Hockey Development

CV3 Hockey Development

Capital Dragons 12U Red

HLH Elite PW Blue

Carolina Vortex

Skyline Hockey

Appalachian Ice Pups

Delaware Patriot Selects 2014

12 A PHS

14U

CV3 Hockey Development

Capital Dragons 14U Red

HLH Elite Bantam Green

Skyline Hockey

TOURNAMENT DETAILS

DATE

April 24-26, 2026

SKILL LEVEL

A = Open Division
B = Challenger Division

DIVISION

10U-14U

ENTRY FEE

$1,525/team (10U)
$1,575/team (12U)
$1,625/team (14U)

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