The Nikko IceBucks, one of two teams from Japan, are three-time defending champions and are looking to capture a fourth straight title as the tournament kicked off on Wednesday. The two Chinese teams are representing Project Hope, an education initiative for young Chinese athletes, sponsored by Islanders minority owner Charles Wang. This is the second straight year the Italian team has entered the Islanders International tournament. The two Long Island teams, PAL Milner and PAL Sound Tigers, are representing the Islanders as they are affiliated with the team's youth program.
Over the course of this action-packed, three-day tournament, each team will play four games to determine seeding for Friday's championship. The teams will get three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime/shootout win, one point for an overtime/shootout loss and no points for a regulation loss. The two teams with the most points will play for the championship on Friday.
After the tournament, all seven teams will have an opportunity to showcase their talent in an international skills competition and play in Winter Classic-style outdoor games at Northwell Health Ice Center.
In addition to playing at the official Islanders practice facility, the teams are guests of honor at a pair of Islanders home games against New Jersey and Boston and get to watch practice up close.
Of course, kids are going to be kids, so a trip to Dave and Busters, the Sky Zone trampoline park is a must, as well as other tourist attractions in New York.
Check back for photos, videos and stories from the 10th annual International Tournament.
