Courtesy Photo Youth hockey teams prepare to compete during the Battle on the Bay tournament that was held at Northern Lights Arena in Alpena over the weekend.

ALPENA — The Battle on the Bay youth hockey tournament wrapped up an action-packed weekend at Northern Lights Arena with a record-breaking 22 teams competing. The annual event, which began Friday and concluded Sunday, showcased teams from across Michigan battling it out in four age divisions: 10U (Squirt), 12U (PeeWee), 14U (Bantam), and 18U (JV/Midget BB and High School Prep). Over three days, each team played at least four games, with division champions crowned on Sunday.

“This year’s tournament was the largest in the event’s history,” said Jessica Henry, NLA’s rink manager. “We’ve averaged 16 to 20 teams in the past, but we’ve cracked more than 20 for the first time, reaching 22 teams. It’s one of the top three largest tournaments Northern Lights Arena has hosted. Teams keep coming back because of the quality of the product we offer, and we’ve been fortunate with other tournaments folding at the last minute, allowing us to pull in so many teams.”

The influx of teams had a significant impact beyond the rink. The event brought in visitors from across the state, contributing to a boost in local revenue.

“It’s an increase of people in town,” Henry said. “Many people travel to Alpena in the summer months and don’t get to experience the beauty of Alpena in the winter months. Whether families are coming from Marquette, Grand Rapids, or Detroit, gas stations and restaurants all see a few more faces that they might not typically see right after the holidays.”

The tournament had a substantial effect on both Alpena and the surrounding communities.

“With 22 teams, 17 of them from out of town, the impact is huge,” Henry said. “The limited availability of accommodations not only benefits Alpena, but also surrounding areas like Rogers City, Tawas, Gaylord, and Hillman, which is pretty amazing. It’s large enough to affect the surrounding communities positively,”

Henry added, “We hope it brings extra revenue to as many local businesses as possible! Hotels, gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores — all should see an increase on weekends like this. We always try to encourage people to check out downtown Alpena.”

This year’s tournament not only benefited the businesses in the area but also helped alleviate some financial strain for local teams. The Alpena Youth and Recreation program supported part of the entry fees for the Alpena teams through grant funding, a testament to the strong community support for local youth hockey.

“We guarantee teams will play four games,” Henry said. “A lot of tournaments are ‘stay-and-play,’ where you have to win to continue getting games. We run our tournaments where all teams get one game on Friday, and two games on Saturday, and based on their results, that determines when they play on Sunday. I also think our staff does a great job in making sure teams feel comfortable in our facility, answering any questions they have, and providing top-quality ice to play on.”

As the tournament came to a close, it marked another successful chapter in Alpena’s ability to host large-scale events. The Battle on the Bay remains a beloved tradition, with players and families alike excited to return each year.

Henry concluded, “The community has embraced these tournaments. People are excited to come here, and we love seeing so many teams enjoy their time in Alpena.”