PHOTOS: Kalamazoo hosts 28-team 8U jamboree, welcomes guests from USA Hockey and Finland

On Nov. 7, the Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association held an all-day “Fire and Ice” event at Wings West Ice Arena to celebrate youth hockey. KOHA hosted a Try Hockey For Free event, a chili cook-off with nine area restaurants and a 28-team 8U cross-ice jamboree that featured teams from across Michigan and Illinois.

“We are excited to be hosting an inaugural event of this magnitude for our younger players; and we couldn’t be more excited about the response from local businesses willing to support and participate in the event,” said Brian Tulik, KOHA’s program director.

Coaches from USA Hockey and Finland’s Youth Hockey Association were on hand for the event, and each participating team took part in a practice session with the guest instructors.

“As one of USA Hockey’s Model Associations, KOHA is honored that USA Hockey is sending their own high level coaches – and bringing their Finnish counterparts – to take part in the event and provide these young players the opportunity to be on the ice and learn from them,” said Stephanie Dukesherer, KOHA’s communications and marketing director.

Check out MiHockey’s photo gallery from Saturday’s Mite Jamboree below. (Photos by Michael Miller/MiHockey)