Join us for the annual Denis DuPlanti Memorial Cup, one of Defender Hockey Tournaments’ most meaningful and anticipated spring events. Held May 8–10, 2026 across premier rinks throughout the greater Philadelphia region—including Bucks County Ice Sports Center, and Revolution Ice Gardens —this tournament welcomes teams competing across 10U–18U AA (Cup), A (Open), and B (Challenger) divisions. The event honors Denis DuPlanti, whose passion for hockey and love for the game left a lasting impact on the community. A devoted fan and longtime season ticket holder of the Philadelphia Flyers, Denis shared that passion with everyone around him—especially when cheering on his son Austin, a goaltender for the Delaware Ducks. Denis also gave back to the sport as a volunteer board member with the Delaware Ducks Youth Hockey organization, always a welcoming presence at the rink.
Today, the tournament continues his legacy by bringing teams together for a competitive, high-energy weekend of hockey and community. With games spread across top facilities in the Philadelphia area and plenty of great dining, shopping, and attractions nearby, it’s a perfect destination tournament experience for players and families alike. This event sells out every year, so teams are encouraged to secure their spot early and be part of a special weekend that celebrates the game Denis loved so much.
*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
