Mikey Nichols

calendar
Date June 19-21, 2026
location
Location New Jersey
graph
Ages 8U-18U
person
Gender both

OVERVIEW

Join us for the 10th annual Mikey Nichols Tournament, a weekend that means more than just hockey. Hosted at Jersey Shore Arena and Howell Ice Arena—the official practice facility of the New Jersey Devils—this special event takes place June 19-21, 2026, and honors the incredible journey of Mikey Nichols, whose life changed forever after a high school hockey injury left him a quadriplegic. Through it all, Mikey has shown unmatched resilience, strength, and determination, inspiring an entire hockey community to come together for something bigger than the game.

Over the past decade, this tournament has helped raise nearly $100,000, donated to the Nichols family, and directly impacting Mikey’s life—helping provide an upgraded wheelchair, a ramp for his home, and a wheelchair-accessible van that allows him greater independence. Teams and families also have the opportunity to meet Mikey in person, hear his story, and connect with him throughout the weekend. In addition, teams and individuals can donate directly to Mikey’s 501(c)(3), continuing to support his journey and future needs.

On the ice, teams will compete with passion and intensity—but off the ice, this weekend is about camaraderie, gratitude, and playing for a purpose. Set near the Jersey Shore, the tournament also offers a perfect summer backdrop. When games aren’t in session, families can enjoy beaches and boardwalks, explore local shops and restaurants, or take in everything the Shore has to offer during one of the best times of the year. It’s a chance to combine competitive hockey with meaningful moments and lasting memories.

This isn’t just another tournament—it’s a chance to honor, support, and inspire. Bring your team, play with heart, and be part of something truly special.

*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.

Jersey Shore Arena
1215 Wyckoff Rd, Wall Township, NJ 07727

Howell Ice Arena
269 Squankum Rd Farmingdale, NJ 07727

Ice Land Skating Center
6 Tennis Ct, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619

ProSkate Ice Arena
1000 Cornwall Rd, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852

East Brunswick Ice Arena
1 Arena Dr, East Brunswick, NJ 08816

 

 
 
 

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). 

IN THE AREA

Restaurant

  • Brick House Tavern, 3655 NJ-66, Neptune City, NJ 07753
  • Woody's Roadside Tavern, 105 Academy St, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
  • Mulligan's, 203 Squankum Rd, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
  • MJ's, 3205 NJ-66, Neptune City, NJ 07753
  • The Cabin Restaurant, 984 NJ-33, Freehold, NJ 07728

Shopping

  • Jersey Shore Outlets, 1 Premium Outlet Blvd, Tinton Falls, NJ 07753
  • Pro Shop at Jersey Shore Arena
  • Monkey Sports, 1500 US-9, Woodbridge Township, NJ 07095

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

8U

HLH Elite Mite Blue Major

HLH Elite Mite Blue Minor

H08

NJ Spitfires 8U BLACK

NJ Spitfires 8U GREY

Jersey Shore Americans

Jersey Shore Americans

Skylands Miners

SI Royals

SI Royals

LI Attack Hockey

Philly Fire 8UB

Flemington Fury

Flemington Fury

RSG Mite Black

RSG Mite Red

RSG Mite White

Mercer Raiders

Johnstown Redwings

10U

HLH Elite SQ. White

HLH Elite SQ. Green

NJ Spitfires 10U

Jersey Shore Americans

Skylands Miners

Palisades Predators

Wolfpack 2016 AA

SI Royals

SI Royals

HEH VIKINGS

LI Attack Hockey

North Jersey Blue Knights

Flemington Fury

Mercer Raiders

Mercer Raiders

Central PA Broncos

Long Island Fishermen- Curry

Aviator Hockey Club

Team Rink Dude 2016

Team Rink Dude 2017

Walling's Flamingos

12U

Blue Wolves

NJ Spitfires 12U

Jersey Shore Americans

Jersey Shore Americans

Skylands Miners

Palisades Predators

HEH VIKINGS

HEH VIKINGS

North Jersey Blue Knights (Peacock)

North Jersey Blue Knights (Sgroi)

North Jersey Blue Knights (Gomez)

JBellotraining Hockey Team

Mercer Raiders

Central PA Broncos

Long Island Fishermen-Goodrich

Long Island Fishermen-Curry

Igloo Selects

Igloo selects Bozzelli

Aviator Hockey Club

Mercer Chiefs

14U

DV Titans

HLH Elite Bantam White

HLH Elite Midget Minor

United Select Allstars

NJ Spitfires 14U

Jersey Shore Americans

Jersey Shore Americans

Skylands Miners

SJ Bulldogs

LI Attack Hockey

North Jersey Blue Knights

JBellotraining Hockey Team

RSG Selects 14UAA Black

RSG Selects 14UA Red

Woodbridge Wolfpack

Mercer Raiders

Central PA Broncos

Metro Militia

Firebirds

Vikings

HEH VIKINGS

111-Hockey

Aviator Hockey Club

Jersey Shore Hockey Development

Skylands Miners

HLH Elite Bantam Black

Turc-Key Hockey Club

CT Selects

111-Hockey-White

16U

DV Titans

Jersey Shore Americans

Jersey Shore Americans

LI Attack Hockey

Hard Edge Hockey Vikings

JBellotraining Hockey Team

Turc-Key Hockey Club

Mercer Raiders

New Jersey Coyotes

111-Hockey

Flemington Fury

CT Selects

18U

Jersey Shore Americans

Jersey Shore Americans

Hard Edge Hockey Vikings

New Jersey Coyotes

LI Attack Hockey

Mercer Raiders

Dinoco Elite

NYC SHS

Sydney Sweeney Selects 18u

WPH2 Panthers

111-Hockey

TOURNAMENT DETAILS

DATE

June 19-21, 2026

SKILL LEVEL

AA = Cup Division
A = Open Division
B = Challenger Division
C Division

DIVISION

8U-18U

ENTRY FEE

$875/team (8U)
$1,525/team (10U)
$1,575/team (12U)
$1,625/team (14U)
$1,725 /team (16U)
$1,725/team (18U)

MORE TOURNAMENTS