NY
TAKES THE TITLE
by Charles Crowell
New York District wins USA Hockey Boys National 17 Festival
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T
here was only one song that came to mind for the New York
District team at USA Hockey's Boys National 17 Festival
following a 10-1 victory over the New England District in the
camp's championship game:
Frank Sinatra's 'Theme from New York, New York.'
The Boys National 17 Festival features a district team-based
tournament format with all 12 of USA Hockey's districts
represented. The player development camp also helps staff
members evaluate players for the Hlinka
Gretzky Cup Camp.
Thirteen of the 16 skaters for the New
York team registered at least one point
in the victory, while the goalie tandem of
Hagan Bach and Mason Hriczov stopped
a combined 20 shots. Three players
registered two goals, including Sawyer
Schmidt, who led the tournament with
13 points in six games.
"We had a great group of guys," said
Schmidt. "Everyone really wanted it. We
put the work in. Everyone [was] bonding
on and off the ice in the dorms. It's just a
very tight group and it's unreal to win the
tournament. It feels so good."
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// SUMMER 2026 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM
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