We wanted the competition to still be high. If we ever got to a spot if they couldn’t or Hungary couldn’t - which we were pretty confident they would be able to - we would’ve maybe shifted down to (the usual) 25 teams. We did want to make sure the American teams could come.
We were diligent to make sure we understood the rules and talking with the airlines and what had to happen that way. “But obviously, with the fourth wave (of COVID) coming, there were lots more questions and lots more protocols had to be put in place. “I don’t think we got close to cancelling it,” said Hale, when asked if the tourney was ever in jeopardy of being scrapped for a second-straight year. 27 start rather than the usual Boxing Day puck-drop, allowing for the players - remember, they’re all 18 and younger - to have more time with their families over Christmas and giving the international clubs - four in all, including the Hungarian under-18 national team - more time to travel through myriad restrictions at the border. Just the fact that it’s returning is impressive enough given the logistics of an international tourney during these unprecedented times.īut they have come back big, alright, beginning with a Dec. “And we’ll do that every year (including prioritizing the comeback of the female division).” “With the time off, we wanted to make sure that we looked at it and improved it as much as we could,” Hale said. On Wednesday at The Westin, Hale and his crew unveiled the blueprint for this year’s event, which includes more teams - 30 in all, featuring the addition of Canadian sport school clubs - using a fourth venue, moving back the schedule, streaming games and initiating digital ticketing. Indeed, the Mac’s International Hockey Tournament returns after last year’s hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic bigger and - hopefully - better than ever as an annual staple of the Calgary Christmas sporting scene. “The Mac’s is back,” said the tournament GM. It’ll be more competitive than ever, too. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
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