By Joshua Boyd / USPHLPremier.com
The United States Premier Hockey League in partnership with the Las Vegas Thunderbirds are excited to welcome fans, families and college and pro coaches and scouts to the second annual USPHL Las Vegas Showcase, to be held Sunday, Dec. 17 through Thursday, Dec. 21, entirely at City National Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
This will be the first year the event will be run in its entirety at City National Arena, the practice home of the defending Stanley Cup Champion Vegas Golden Knights. The USPHL and Thunderbirds will welcome all seven USPHL Premier Pacific Division teams and all five Northwest Division teams. They will be joined by special guests from outside the league’s west region, including the Metro Jets (Great Lakes Division) and Metro Jets Development Program (Midwest East), as well as the Battle Creek Kernels (Midwest East), the Isanti Outlaws and the Steele County Blades (both from the Midwest West Division).
Sunday evening will see the kickoff event, the sole game of the day being a matchup between the host Thunderbirds and the Seattle Totems. This will be followed by 10 games per day on the Summerlin Hospital Rink A and Ghost Energy Rink B ice surfaces Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 18-20. The action wraps up with three games to close the festivities on Thursday, Dec. 21, allowing ample time for all those who enjoyed the action to get “home for the holidays.”
Full USPHL Las Vegas Showcase Schedule
No games are scheduled for later starts than 7:40 p.m. each night, which allows visitors from outside the area to wrap up a day of hockey and still enjoy the world-famous nightlife of Las Vegas – the heart of “The Strip” (Las Vegas Boulevard) is less than 30 minutes drive away, and one of the top resorts in Nevada.
An even closer entertainment option, Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa, is literally steps away from City National Arena.
December is a fantastic time to visit Las Vegas, as Christmas lights abound and the temperatures are pleasantly mild (not hot) in the daytime and cool and comfortable in the evening.
College coaches will find first class hospitality and private viewing areas for both rinks, as well as an exceptionally helpful Thunderbirds and league staff to assist you with player contacts and interviews where needed. Additionally, visiting coaches will be able to scan a QR code that will give them access to rosters and scouting information for all 17 teams in attendance. For those who unfortunately cannot join us in person, we hope you will watch on FloHockey.tv.
We appreciate your support of, and interest in, our student-athletes.