How to Run a Hockey Event in Colorado

Running a hockey event in Colorado? Here's how to plan it, pick a format and run it on Colorado Under Par, start to finish.

What it looks like

Colorado amateur hockey runs at indoor community rinks year round, with outdoor pond tournaments on frozen lakes in January and February, for youth, adult rec and charity teams.

Formats

3v3

Three skaters plus a goalie per side play cross-ice or on a small sheet, often with running time and rolling line changes.

5v5 (Full Ice)

Standard full ice games with five skaters and a goalie, usually in three timed periods.

4v4

Four skaters and a goalie per side on full or half ice.

Pond Hockey

Outdoor games on natural ice, usually 4v4 with no goalies and small low nets.

Roller / Ball Hockey

Played on a rink floor or sport court with inline skates or sneakers and a ball or puck.

Round Robin + Playoffs

Teams play several group games, earning points for wins and ties.

Tournament Bracket

Teams play an elimination bracket where winners advance each round.

League

Teams play weekly scheduled games over a season, often at late evening ice times.

Shootout Showdown

Players donate to take a penalty shot on a volunteer goalie, with prizes for every goal. The crowd counts down each attempt.

Chuck a Puck Toss

Fans buy numbered foam pucks to toss on the ice at intermission, and closest to center wins. A Colorado raffle license may be needed.

Handshake Line Tradition

Every game ends with the classic handshake line. Add a hard hat award for the hardest working player, chosen by teammates.

Build it

In the Organizer Dashboard, click Create event and pick hockey and your format. Every tab, word and Start here guide then follows your sport.

Registration

Choose your team size and divisions, like 8U, 10U and 12U. In Registration, ask what you need from each entrant, like jersey number and position. Set a roster minimum and a roster lock date, and split team fees into two to four payments in Invoices if that helps teams sign up.

Results

Open Brackets and schedule. Pick the division, pool play or a bracket, your rinks, the first game time and minutes per game. Each of your rinks gets its own phone link for scores, and every score updates the bracket for everyone. Tick Post on the event page so players follow it live.

Event day

Teams check in and get locker rooms, warm up on the ice before each game, play scheduled games with clock and referees, then the final game leads into awards on the ice.

Fun ideas

Make it memorable. Three ideas people love. Shootout Showdown. Players donate to take a penalty shot on a volunteer goalie, with prizes for every goal. The crowd counts down each attempt. Chuck a Puck Toss. Fans buy numbered foam pucks to toss on the ice at intermission, and closest to center wins. A Colorado raffle license may be needed. Handshake Line Tradition. Every game ends with the classic handshake line. Add a hard hat award for the hardest working player, chosen by teammates.

Tip

One tip for first-timers: book ice and referees first, since rink time is the hardest thing to get, and make sure every team has a goalie confirmed. Building is free, then 1% per paid order plus card processing, paid to your own Stripe account. Stuck? Ask Caddie or search Need help in your dashboard. Start at coloradounderpar.com/sell-tickets.