Hotels
Stay to Play Policy
This event has a “Stay to Play" hotel policy. All attendees/groups in need of hotels are required to book them through our housing partner, Pellucid Travel, in order to participate in the tournament.
This policy helps to ensure sufficient availability at quality hotels, and the best available rates.
Canada Connection
Nickel City Hockey is proudly owned and operated by a team of Buffalo, NY natives. Founder Matt Peters, along with our entire staff, were born and raised in Buffalo and still live in the area today.
For those who don’t know, “Nickel City” is a longtime nickname for Buffalo, a city built on its connection to Canada. That connection is central to the company’s identity. The team has spent years traveling and competing across the border in places like Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Niagara on the Lake. Matt and Anthony grew up playing countless games and tournaments throughout Ontario, with Anthony even playing junior hockey in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Not just a cup of Timmy's. Ashley's childhood summers revolved around a family cottage in Long Beach, ON, with lineage dating back to the 1950's.
That experience shapes how Nickel City Hockey operates. Our organization understands the style of play, culture, and expectations of Canadian teams, and builds events that drive strong cross-border competition.
A defining example came on April 28, 2026 during Game 5 of a Buffalo Sabres playoff game vs the Boston Bruins, when the national anthem microphone went out and the crowd finished the song from memory. Matt Peters was in attendance. “Instant chills.” The Sabres are the only American based NHL team to play the Canadian anthem before every game. We get it.
Nickel City Hockey embraces that responsibility. Hockey has always been a “Peace Bridge” for the two nations, bringing people together and strengthening relationships across the border.
To support that mission, Nickel City Hockey offers the largest Canadian discount in the industry, $500 USD off any registration. Canadian teams are not just participants, they are essential to the competitiveness and identity of every event.
We're lifting the STOP sign that you wear on your jersey's. It's time to mend fences and honor that cross-border respect, a commitment to keeping the game connected.