Robin's Classic, A January Tradition

A premier tournament that kids want to be involved in. It’s like the Stanley Cup of Northwestern Ontario.

By Chelsea Cameron-Fikis Chelsea Cameron-Fikis is a nature and outdoors enthusiast who is working towards her first novel.

October 28, 2024

January Tradition in Thunder Bay

The Robin’s Minor Hockey Tournament has become a January tradition in Thunder Bay with the annual tournament one that minor hockey teams from towns across Northwestern Ontario region pencil into their calendars year after year.

This year's Robin’s Classic runs January 17-20, 2019, marking the 28th year that Robin's Donuts has remained committed to it's long-running sponsorship of this popular minor hockey tournament. A tournament that has been hosted by the Port Arthur Minor Hockey Association and its dedicated volunteers for 43 years.

Robin's 2016 Atom AA Champs

The tournament brings together over 2200 minor hockey players boys and girls between the ages 4 to 17, playing 300 games, with champions crowned in 12 age divisions. Divisions include IP1 all the way up to Midget AA, with most of teams in the younger age groups.

These numbers make the Robin’s Minor Hockey Classic one of the largest hockey tournaments in Northwestern Ontario with around 150 teams competing at nine arenas (11 ice surfaces). It makes for what is a very busy four days of hockey in Thunder Bay.

Teams are traveling to games at different rinks around the city so game schedules and maps to the arenas are provided in registration kits that are only available for pick up at the host hotel, the Victoria Inn.

The support of Robin's Donuts, the locally owned and operated coffee and restaurant chain, allows local organizers to put on what has become one of most popular tournaments across the region. Tournament passes are available at all 12 Robin’s Donuts locations in Thunder Bay

2016 Marked the 25th Anniversary of Robin's sponsorship of the tourament

Regional Draw

Each year teams from across Northwestern Ontario make commitments to compete at this popular minor hockey event. Thunder Bay eagerly welcomes visiting minor hockey players, coaches, parents and grandparents from towns and communities all across region, including Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, Atikokan, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Nipigon, Red Rock, Geraldton, Longlac, Schreiber, Terrace Bay, Marathon, Manitouwadge and Wawa.. This year, there are also teams entered from Notre Dame busing from Wilcox, Saskatchewan.

Accommodations & More

For visiting teams, players and family, the Victoria Inn offers a discount as the host hotel for the tournament. The indoor pool and waterslide make the Victoria Inn on Arthur Street a popular spot for visiting teams with Chicago Joe's Restaurant on site and other fast food restaurants near by.

If rooms are not available at Victoria Inn, there are a number of hotels, motels and accommodation options for visting teams and their familites to choose from for their weekend stay.

Local restaurants are also ready to host the many visitors in town who take the opportunity to do some shopping to make the most of the their weekend getaway.

Visting teams have an opportunity to attend a Thunderwolves hockey game at a special tournament group rate. Visitors looking for other things to see and do between games can pick up a copy of the Thunder Bay Experience Guide or check out the Visit Thunder Bay website. One experience to consider, is a visit to the outdoor, artificial rink on the Lake Superior waterfront at Prince Arthur's Landing for a relaxing, family skate before or after a game.

Weekend Passes

This year the tournament is FREE to watch! Family and friends are invited to come out enjoy great hockey and sportsmanship from all players and coaches taking part.
Come out and show your support!