The tournament also offers young prospective roller-hockey players a chance to find out what types of leagues and teams are available in the area.
Twogood will be available throughout the weekend to field questions from kids and parents interested in getting involved in the sport.
Based on her experience, Twogood says that local participation in roller hockey has increased immensely in the two years since she founded Top Cat Hockey, which organizes in-line hockey tournaments in California and Arizona. A chief allure of the sport is its cost: Roller hockey is much less expensive to play than ice hockey, she says.
"If my son played ice hockey, it would run me $500 for a 10-week season," explains Twogood, who has organized numerous youth tournaments in conjunction with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings. "Roller hockey is $130 to $170 for a 10-week season. The equipment is [also] a lot less expensive than the equipment in ice hockey."
The tournament will offer an "intermediate" level of competition gentler than the tougher advanced play of other roller leagues, Twogood says. And it should be fun. Spectators, she hopes, will have a hard time resisting the enthusiasm of the young players.
"Watching the kids get excited after they score a goal is special. You don't get snide remarks or gestures during these games. It's high fives and handshakes. There's nothing better than watching a kids' youth hockey game, especially at this level."
BE THERE
* The Duck Hunt is Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m. (depending on game length) and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Disney Goals, 1440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim. Free. (714) 740-0414.
