Snoopy Senior World Hockey Tournament

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Originally Posted by Joe Nathan

I was wondering if any Senior NHL players have played in the Snoopy Senior World Hockey Tournament ?

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Yes, there was a Senior Kings hockey team. Don't know if you remember, but they announced the death of Ronnie Van Gompel at the Kings game earlier this year. He recruited a couple of ex-nhlers. Not many do though.

I think Vic Venaski (who runs the Lakewood rink) played a couple of years, he may still. A couple of Hollywood producer types played. David E Kelly played a couple of years, brought Michelle Pheiffer with him.

There was also a frenchman that played back in the 60's and 70's (can't remember his name), he had his stanley cup ring.

If you're looking for something fun, go up even to watch. It's like old-home week for most of these guys. They trade pins (at least they used to) and there's stories all week long. Everywhere you go, you run into hockey players. They're big on Bodega Bay for fish and there's a little town between Santa Rosa and the coast where they go for Italian food.

And of course there's always wine country. But you can spend all day and most of the night at the rink just watching hockey. It's supposed to be a no-hit game but there's just something that gets into them when they step on the ice. It's funny to watch the older guys shuffle around the rink and then when they step on the ice, it's like they were 20 years old again. It's fun.

One hint: find a room quick, the city fills up pretty fast. There's alot of partying going on at the hotels too.

Fransince 67 wrote
fansince67
My dad played in that tournament for 25 years. It was such a good time. When it started in 1975, my dad saw guys he played with in juniors and for the Maple Leafs farm system in the 40's and 50's. It was quite a reunion.

Schultz built a beautiful rink and museum/gift shop for this tournament. If you're ever in the area even without the tournament, it's worth a stop - a little nostalgic now that Schultz has passed away.

New Info on 2008 Snoopy Senior World Hockey Tournament
Its in July this year and a fun place to be to watch or play.

Snoopy's Home Ice - The Redwood Empire Ice Arena

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Originally Posted by Joe Nathan

If your in Santa Rosa, Calif in July as the Snoopy Senior World Hockey Tournament will take place. Charles Schultz played hockey and loved the game. I was at a
Peanuts and Gang Convention in 1988 and met Charles. I mentioned I was a King Fan
and he just rattled off on how he liked Dave Taylor and gang.
Check this out, enjoy

YouTube - Snoopy's Senior World Hockey Tournament Promo

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I've been attending this tournament a number of years. This year will be the third year that I'll actually be covering the event (not for HF). This is a great tourney for anyone who wants to get a summer hockey fix and don't mind seeing a bunch of guys a little long in the tooth on skates. The tourney this year runs July 13 -20. All the games are free and run continuously from about 6am to midnight every day except for the first and last days of the tourney and on Wednesday, when they have the tourney ceremonies. At last year's tourney, they retired Sparky's (Charles Schultz) number #9 jersey.

A number of teams from the Southern California area send teams to this tourney every year. The SoCal Golden Bears, who play in the "baby" (40-44 year olds) group/division featured Bobby Hull Jr. on the team (I believe that's who it was) last year. I know that the Golden Bears will be there again this year, but their roster may change.

The tourney features a number of former NHLers that do/have played in this tournament as well. University of Michigan head coach Red Berenson is at this tourney every year. And if you ever wondered why Michigan turns out so many great skaters, all you have to do is watch Red Berenson skate. He's in his late 60's and can skate circles around many guys in the NHL today!

Anyway, definitely worth checking out.

I saw Al Langois one year also.

Anyone here coming to the tournament or playing it in? If not, I may be able to help out in some coverage for LGK. Just let me know what you guys want as far as coverage goes (PM or email would be preferable)...if you all do want coverage.

FYI, I'm already covering the Denver/Michigan game for my friends over at Lets Go DU, so please select another game/team.

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Originally Posted by NCAA Goddess

Anyone here coming to the tournament or playing it in? If not, I may be able to help out in some coverage for LGK. Just let me know what you guys want as far as coverage goes (PM or email would be preferable)...if you all do want coverage.

FYI, I'm already covering the Denver/Michigan game for my friends over at Lets Go DU, so please select another game/team.

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I would love to know what some of the highlights are in the tournament...

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Originally Posted by Joe Nathan

I would love to know what some of the highlights are in the tournament...

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The two matchups that I think are the best as far as evenly matched and most entertaining are the Denver/Michigan game in the 60A "Marcie" Division and the SoCal/UN game in the 40A "Linus" Division. These are the two elite levels in their respective age divisions. The "Snoopy" Division, which are the oldest players in tourney...basically guys in their 70s and 80s. It's also fun to watch because these are the elder statesmen of the tourney and usually a sentimental favorite of many of the regulars who see the tourney every year.

The SoCal/UN game, which seems to ALWAYS take place at prime time on Saturday night (yes, these guys play on that day and time again this year) is one of the biggest drawing (attendance-wise) games of the tournament and it's not hard to see why. Basically it matches the two best teams in the 40-44 age group in the tourney in a sort of "Battle of California" format - NorCal vs. SoCal (think the Kings or the Ducks vs. the Sharks in the NHL).

The Denver/Michigan game also draws well, especially if it's at a good time (i.e. late afternoon/early evening). People who are fans of NCAA hockey or went to college, especially at either DU or Michigan never miss this game. Also, this game features many former NHLers playing for both teams. Current Michigan head coach Red Berenson plays in this tourney (as I mentioned earlier). Former Chicago Blackhawks player (and currently still with the organization) Cliff Koroll is DU alum and also plays in this tourney.

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Originally Posted by NCAA Goddess

The two matchups that I think are the best as far as evenly matched and most entertaining are the Denver/Michigan game in the 60A "Marcie" Division and the SoCal/UN game in the 40A "Linus" Division. These are the two elite levels in their respective age divisions. The "Snoopy" Division, which are the oldest players in tourney...basically guys in their 70s and 80s. It's also fun to watch because these are the elder statesmen of the tourney and usually a sentimental favorite of many of the regulars who see the tourney every year.

The SoCal/UN game, which seems to ALWAYS take place at prime time on Saturday night (yes, these guys play on that day and time again this year) is one of the biggest drawing (attendance-wise) games of the tournament and it's not hard to see why. Basically it matches the two best teams in the 40-44 age group in the tourney in a sort of "Battle of California" format - NorCal vs. SoCal (think the Kings or the Ducks vs. the Sharks in the NHL).

The Denver/Michigan game also draws well, especially if it's at a good time (i.e. late afternoon/early evening). People who are fans of NCAA hockey or went to college, especially at either DU or Michigan never miss this game. Also, this game features many former NHLers playing for both teams. Current Michigan head coach Red Berenson plays in this tourney (as I mentioned earlier). Former Chicago Blackhawks player (and currently still with the organization) Cliff Koroll is DU alum and also plays in this tourney.

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Thank you for your info on whats on the table.....

The SoCal/UN game is always fun. It fills the rink.

Schultz' son Monte runs (at least he used to) the UN team. Stu Nahan's son used to play for him. Not sure if it still is the case but the So Cal team used to be the Sr. Kings run by Ronnie Van Gompel with a couple of alumni. Vic Venasky was one years ago. I think Michelle Pfieffer's used husband play for them too. She was at the game once.

I'm telling you, this is a fun week if you're looking for something to do and it's non-stop hockey!