The International Quebec Pee Wee hockey tournament is here, and I can guarantee there is no better hockey tournament out there!  What is so special about this tournament? The Quebec Pee Wee tournament is a hockey tournament like no other. Pee-wee-level teams come from around the world just for this tournament. You will play teams such as Switzerland, Japan, and Korea. The tournament, in its 64th year, takes place February 7th-18th and is located in Quebec City, Quebec, at the Videotron Centre. If you play in the tournament, you are in it to go up against teams from everywhere. To get in, you need to qualify at a specific age and play either at an AA level or an AAA level of the sport.

At the start of the tournament, each team is given 2 guaranteed tournament games. If you lose a game, you go to the loser’s bracket, and if you lose 2 games, you are eliminated from the tournament. Teams will also sometimes schedule scrimmage games against other teams in the tournament. My team’s name is Detroit Compuware. Compuware did not do so well against the high level and skill of other teams, but we had some good games nonetheless. Compuware has a lot of history with the Pee Wee tournament. They have been there more times than many teams and have won a lot as well. One year, They had 2 NHL players on their team during the tournament.

One thing that you need for the full Quebec feeling is being a part of the billet program. Billeting is where you stay with a family that lives in Quebec during your tournament stay. They take you to your games, and everywhere else you need to be. A lot of billet families have things like outdoor rinks as well. The billet experience is awesome because you get to experience Quebec culture and stay with one of your teammates. Billeting with a family enhances the tournament experience!