Time is running out to enter your team in Buffalo’s largest street hockey tournament! The ninth annual Buffalo Sabres Street HockeyFest presented by HSBC Bank is all set for the weekend of August 21-22, and limited spaces remain in all age groups. The newly-expanded two-day event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day on the streets surrounding HSBC Arena. Last year’s tournament featured 186 teams with almost 1,000 participants.

The street hockey tournament is open to boys and girls ages 5-17 at a cost of $125 per team. Each team consists of up to five people and all teams are guaranteed three games. Each team member will receive a HockeyFest hat and t-shirt. Trophies will be awarded to the champions of each division.

Registration will take place online only at www.sabres.com. Deadline for entry is August 13.

There are six divisions: Micron (2004/05), Mite (2002/03), Squirt (2000/01), PeeWee (1998/99), Bantam (1996/97) and Midgets (1993/94/95). The Micron division is co-ed, while the other five are for boys only. Division placements are determined by age/birth year following USA Hockey guidelines.

The Micron, Mite and Squirt divisions will play on Saturday. Sunday’s action will feature the PeeWee, Bantam and Midget divisions.

New this year are six all-girls divisions: 17 & under (1993/94), 15 & under (1995/96), 13 & under (1997/98), 11 & under (1999/2000), 9 & under (2001/02/03). All games for these six divisions will be played on Saturday only. Division placements will be determined by age/birth year following USA Hockey guidelines.

An 18 and older tournament will take place in September. Full details will be released at a later date.

All participants are responsible for bringing their own hockey stick and gloves. Goalie equipment is mandatory. Teams are also asked to bring one light and one dark colored shirt. Helmets are recommended for all age groups. However they are mandatory for all players in the Micron and Mite divisions.

The Sabres, in partnership with Upstate New York Transplant Services (UNYTS), will also be holding a community blood drive on Saturday, August 21 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. inside HSBC Arena. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, please visit UNYTS.org or call (716) 512-7940. Photo ID is required and walk-ins are welcome.

There will also be inflatables and other activities for the kids, with plenty of food and drink available for purchase. Parking will be free in the arena ramp.

For more information on Street HockeyFest, please call (716) 855-4144.