McLean Highlanders to Compete in USA Hockey High School National Championship

Image credit: USA Hockey High School National Championships - Ashburn & Reston Facebook page

MCLEAN, VA: Seven teams from greater Washington are among 40 high school clubs from across the country set to compete at the 2016 USA Hockey High School National Championships on March 17-21 at the Ashburn Ice Rink and SkateQuest Reston, according to Steve Winter, Chairman of the Host Committee.

Host McLean Highlanders will join three Loudoun County teams: the Stone Bridge Bulldogs, Loudoun/Heritage, and Rock Ridge/Riverside. Maryland teams competing are the Winston Churchill Bulldogs (Potomac), Annapolis/Old Mill (Anne Arundel County), and Marriotts Ridge Mustangs (Howard County).

Two winners will be crowned at the tournament: one for “Pure Teams” comprised of players from the same high school and the other for “Combined Teams,” with players from two or more high schools. Host McLean joins Stone Bridge, Churchill and Marriotts Ridge in the Pure Team competition.

“It is always an honor to be at a national level,” according to Stone Bridge team manager Peggy Balla. “Our team has been to the championships once before in, 2011. All of our players are absolutely excited to be back again this year.”

Every team will play one game each on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with quarterfinal and semifinal action contested on Sunday. The championship games are set for Monday morning in Ashburn.

Since 1940, USA Hockey has awarded national championships to top youth teams from throughout the county, adding a high school championship in 2010.

Jennifer Leibold, Team Manager of the combined Rockridge/Riverside said “this is the first high school championship that our team has been to, and some of our kids may never have this chance again.”

All games are open to the public with tickets available for purchase at the rinks. Week-long passes are $40 for adults (18 and over), $25 for seniors (65 and over), and $15 for youth (11 to 17). Single day passes are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $5 for youth. Children 10 and under are admitted free.

For more information visit http://nationals.usahockey.com and facebook.com/USAHockeyHSChamps.