RETURN OF THE ROBIN

Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

Brett Landon took over as one of the coordinators of the Return of the Robin adult amateur hockey tournament last year -- along with Jim McPeak, Jay Sathers and Myron Salz.

Their goal was to continue to grow the tournament, which they did a year ago. They expanded the field to 40 teams, with a waiting list nearly as large.

They've done so again this year, with the field for the 27th Robin expanding to 44 teams total in the eight men's divisions.

And for the first time, a women's division will be held this year.

Close to 1,000 skaters will come to the Rochester area, ranging in age from their early 20s to late 60s. Games will be played, beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, at both of the Rochester Recreation Center's rinks, as well as at Graham Arena and Kasson's Four Seasons Arena.

Championship games are scheduled for Sunday, with the Open Division 1 title game set for the Rec Center's main rink at 2:30 p.m.

The Return of the Robin has become one of the most popular adult amateur tournaments around, with a waiting list of more than 70 teams (not enough ice time is available in the area to accommodate all the interested teams).

All games will be three 20-minute periods with running time and no overtime will be played except for the championship games. No slapshots or checking is allowed.

Admission for fans is free.

Games begin at 5 p.m. Friday at each site, 7:45 a.m. Saturday at each site, and 8 a.m. Sunday at each site