It all began in 1984.
The Pro-Am Hockey League was conducting its summer leagues at the Quincy Youth Arena in their first full organized season. That is when Joe Lyons, scout for the Boston Bruins, asked about starting a tournament for junior supremacy in the off-season.
“Through his efforts, we invited a strong team from Detroit to play against Team Boston,” Mike O’Connell, Sr., Pro-Am’s Chief Operating Officer said. “We did not have uniforms at that time, and Lyons asked the Bruins if we could use their practice socks and pants, and we supplied our Pro-Am jerseys. This was approved by renowned Bruins General Manager Harry Sinden, who also came to the Quincy Youth Arena and dropped the ceremonial first puck with one of his draft picks, Kevin Heffernan, taking the draw.”
Despite featuring six players who went on to play in the NHL, Team Boston lost that first series, but the Chowder Cup was born.
“Cliff Marshall, former Sheriff of Norfolk County, whose sons played at Boston College,” O’Connell continued, “said we needed a New England flair to the tournament. He had a local restaurant provide chowder for the scouts in attendance… The name ‘Chowder Cup’ had a nice ring to it.”
From that first year, the Chowder Cup as grown to be known as one of the best tournaments of its kind worldwide. On July 18, 2024, for the 40th time at rinks across the greater Boston area, hockey players will have the chance to showcase themselves in front of professional, collegiate, junior, and prep school scouts and coaches from all over as New England Pro-Am Hockey League’s Sr. Chowder Cup begins.
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