The Backyard Classic

Great News!! The Backyard Classic will continue to support PUNT Pediatric Cancer Collaborative for our 2025 All Ages Pond Hockey Event at Buffalo Riverworks. Dates and Exciting Event Announcements coming very soon!!

100% of our proceeds support PUNT’s new WNY Compassion Connection, a center for grieving children and families, opening early in 2025.

Much more to come!

Great News!! The Backyard Classic will continue to support PUNT for our 2025 All Ages Pond Hockey Event at Buffalo Riverworks. Dates and Exciting Event Announcements coming very soon!!

100% of our proceeds support PUNT’s new WNY Compassion Connection, a center for grieving children and families, opening early in 2025.

Much more to come!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/SnvPAFNHsD98nht7/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Dear Western New York,
It’s National Grief Awareness Day.
We have stood in service to bereaved families who have lost a child to cancer for the past 13 years and have come to understand there is a greater need within our community for peer support and grief literacy.

Death is the ultimate life disruptor; it is also a life guarantee. Grief is lonely, debilitating, isolating and altering.
Finding others who have experienced a similar loss is a powerful way forward and can help those suffering feel a little less alone when they receive forced membership into a club they never asked to belong to.

This space below is in the process of being transformed into a refuge and resource for our region’s grieving children and families for any origin of loss.

We have had a fleet of people working tirelessly behind the scenes all summer long to build peer programs that will take place within this space and out in the community in our schools and workplaces. We know these efforts will bring critical compassion and understanding to help make Western New York a better place to grieve. ❤️‍🩹🦬🫂

WESTERN NEW YORK COMPASSION CONNECTION: A Center for Grieving Children and Families

✨OPENING JANUARY 2025 ✨

Hello, Here are the links to the full photo galleries from Day 1 and Day 2 of The 2024 Backyard Classic. Thank you once again to Rebecca Nalbach Photography for taking such great pictures!! Rebecca Nalbach Photography

http://outbound-email.shootproof.com/ls/click?upn=u001.ciKhfRp7YkGHJRiHC7pIh6l1EIq1FvOQ3imYhEme6k05DUCAERvJl91nvD1girfFyDGTiEDc58V65nhZznmDM3-2Ff-2BfeGJTap5VVDA2heIPo-3D7RSb_V9GnRonk8Onx9Oa6ygTpRRhRcLNULH15v20Ihk2D3PMYzCFooi9KSAT1J2cjjigQCBtJ4e0l6qnUq-2BODk7lsTZkvcB1tBSglsr-2F1r3lcPRkOD0bDjua-2F4xC24ZNMKG357CX1IIQwIseGFYnezkwxM8UeYvzp1bunrLxEEjCAvLmW11jzpOHUmvqHSkqmjkP2zrx5dXAi46oE1E-2Fd5s7D8cyAFHi-2B0d4H2jOLfH83-2FLBaWNKpbOx-2BuY9RgwRlM27cbXS8d-2BINu72H1pi42XPUBmIZZ-2F3JTvDd1B2a-2FHAFn0Hej0kAzkO02fRd4E7bT2c3xf12onn9AOT5Fe6P798RHbUwRATuSUBLRtJXvr9cskj9pg-2FsmdPmtw2VqenUMmqAXNgx8bCLU9p52Nl-2Fi0ebBmyIwlW2jnj3vHHlmTE-2FOAMoN1at4MOQ4wnj6OcJgvo3VfZs9UiVJoLIRRiplNEz6QLxP6ylNKCmTHmrFHTYAWGjIEzdhnuGm4miKEa-2BU-2FzzSoVctRzcRikMc1d3MUVZTvn-2FdYykaJ7Z4rbyOe2bUXdS6IbzipMfoKe0YASA1ffuG-2Bi7XxWW-2BPtCO92JMsyrrJtmIQ-2BmaWTvudY0BS0v2jKl32s3Fsu8yk7FlMyG810qWhe77BYUnJTkc-2BQCjqfRA9Gmd-2FGT0mYTLtrM23tBahDm8PAgadwZ2e66wSzazn3241ZDK0gkhrUVQzoMxLul7n3wbv8l5-2B9fNEaPBkny5-2B-2F8XWn53hlU1otD-2B4D8cI7qTQV2YzVU59Yo61fbfd3kGxk3iA9iPQeVmw5wQve7qpkoJWhfxOS-2BEEAsRqAYWOtEiPVKhQIi6W-2FPniiKTJWebTummybdp-2FAwGLjH7loAdTw4E5dmTUSl01SRjJwHAe15vM-2FSMo5M7RSOJ66h1z6-2B4POEtgeHcL5piZUEWU4qSDZIUQDvKJCvEtC-2BIXe0irEi
http://outbound-email.shootproof.com/ls/click?upn=u001.ciKhfRp7YkGHJRiHC7pIh6l1EIq1FvOQ3imYhEme6k05DUCAERvJl91nvD1girfFyDGTiEDc58V65nhZznmDM1cojrw7VdVJVVc-2Bhoxo75U-3DgQon_V9GnRonk8Onx9Oa6ygTpRRhRcLNULH15v20Ihk2D3PMYzCFooi9KSAT1J2cjjigQCBtJ4e0l6qnUq-2BODk7lsTZkvcB1tBSglsr-2F1r3lcPRkOD0bDjua-2F4xC24ZNMKG357CX1IIQwIseGFYnezkwxM8UeYvzp1bunrLxEEjCAvLl-2Bzdq4eaU5xjZzEXlVqY7rxh82DSPTnegbtzRGM2cWE276QOeUEicWUMQg5yXerAwfxE0CpVnsWjOPNaqsND7X-2B3mM-2BNCBMkpjyCcSFwCSvH8Xw1q9Fm0PHUva5kJv6EmZahO8708VF1tNxSOUSRCCiu1W8JLXMAVAING82XBapujGRgGXls5oci2yuHc2gJf9t-2BGh0pHnl4ARGs1-2FL9etwkFHOyEvisNpJJU0g4uRuASYMaeh5ayAot5W3IFn5vqoIq1zg6-2Fbv-2F665MZriNIRTexySTlxcjsEO2oYKJbEXNuCkQUHnCjKJ2srwzxi-2FEQ-2FY7XBBMnrZRbiZ-2BIBz9sW5reM8HpoANAQhzsFUUAxl0oQmjrdnz6TZVrjd17Phw5ETj4CWJdcYOh7ZlpdJRUqQQ8jjeUHmjHBdJi4HKQfIRDIaj2CIRomvrMBuonbiAD4pcQh7Jv1kYju3nI6uFy247-2Bx-2BhK6umiMgy60-2Ft2kUAN-2BR0uUpQJVRtnGUiKwaL0u7Rz707aFCgj4O5mpJDgO9NwUD8nIQngkIf0pet-2BxAlwPNFYnIGMmnNHkq6BjXTgjadOb5rf1epvnPBJjD28gveNfz4FmR0pWhyL1FF5OkvuDXHGx9jlpgXzL88-2FtNd-2Fj7BHtMJjL1kKF9tMTxQJeOek6quJYsGpqmwPleYBM8rwMnLjkWBFNBvlXFZyfSRmQLHu7bPepZ01SzbbHpxCYZnNY3djXlVlekCynv-2F6Dzv5Y9rtJSgPULZPCXUONkzBu-2B1nrWfa24vmjyN4Uld98

Buffalo Backyard Classic Day 2

More pictures from The 2024 Backyard Classic supporting PUNT Pediatric Cancer Collaborative

The long awaited 2024 Backyard Classic pictures are in! We would like to thank all our Participants, Volunteers, Sponsors and of course PUNT The Pediatric Cancer Collaborative and Buffalo Riverworks that helped to put on a great fun filled weekend of Hockey. We will have several more posts this week with news and updates from the 2024 Backyard Classic, as well as a sneak peek into next year’s event in 2025. Thank you to Rebecca Nalbach Photography for capturing all the great memories, the pictures tell the story. Enjoy!

A message from our Tournament Director Chris Taggart...

Hello Everyone as most of you know I have been running a Charity Hockey Tournament for 15 years now. Every year giving back to WNY Charities. This tournament started in my backyard and has been at Canalside for the past 6 years, now this year, we are moving to Buffalo Riverworks.

We will be benefiting PUNT, The Pediatric Cancer Collaborative this year and for many years going forward. This organization not only helps WNY families with the devastating repercussions of Pediatric Cancer, but also are becoming an instrumental source for bereavement and greif counseling for families in WNY facing devastating circumstances involving the unfortunate passing of family members and loved ones.

I am so proud to push this tournament forward in the memory of my 17 year old daughter Lauren, who we lost two years ago this March 7th to an auto accident. This tournament will help cement Lauren’s Legacy forever going forward and will soon evolve into a foundation in her name and give back to WNY Charities including PUNT and others, to be named in the future.

If you have the opportunity to sponsor or donate to this wonderful cause, or just want to come down to volunteer, we can always use the help to raise as much as we can for the families of WNY going through their fight against Cancer, or battling the every day “life sentence” of grief.
Please take a minute to watch the incredible story that Ch 4 did on this and hope you can join us April 6th and 7th at Buffalo Riverworks for a great time you won’t soon forget.

Visit us at www.buffalobackyardclassic.com for more details.

‘It was a perfect fit’: Hockey tournament to help benefit grievers after tragedy BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Backyard Classic, a hockey tournament for all ages, comes back April 6 and 7 at Buffalo Riverworks, for it’s 15th year. “We’ve gone from a backyar…

Our Charity Tournament is April 6th & 7th!
Play on the ice at Buffalo RiverWorks 🏒
🥅 Full Nets & Goalies / All Ages 6U-Adult

Register Your Team ➡️ Help PUNT Pediatric Cancer

All Ages 6U-Adult at Buffalo RiverWorks
April 6th & 7th with Full Nets & Goalies 🥅
🎗 for PUNT Pediatric Cancer Collaborative

Register Your Team ➡️ Charity Ice Hockey Tournament

Does your team have what it takes? 🏆
🏒 for PUNT Pediatric Cancer Collaborative
Full Nets & Goalies | All Ages 6U to Adult 🥅

Register your team here ➡️ April 6th & 7th at Riverworks

The Backyard Classic would like to take a moment to thank an individual who has been donating his time and talents to this great event for over 7 years.

David Uschold Photography makes the trip up every year from Cleveland, OH and spends the weekend to support our cause. He extensively covers the event not only with great photos, but captures the moments and great memories that will last for all of us involved, for many years to come.

This tournament and our support of Oishei Children’s Hospital means the world to the The Backyard Classic, as well as, many of you participating each year, thankfully we have Dave to capture this great cause up close.

You have the opportunity to purchase any of these pictures for a fee, with any and all revenue generated being donated to Oishei’s Critical Care Unit.

Thank you so much Dave and we will see you next year!!!

The Backyard Classic 2023 - David Uschold ABOUT THE ARTIST For over 20 years, I have been capturing images as a working professional photographer. All my assignments are unique, and vary from wedding, birth, anniversary, portrait, food, real-estate, site-documentation, pet, lifestyle, nature, and still life. My clients are McDonald’s, Mar...

Here are some highlights from our 2023 Backyard Classic to support Oishei Children's Hospital. Another very successful event, looking forward to 2024 already! Many many more pictures to come!! Check out more pictures at www.buffalobackyardclassic.com click on our Home page.

The Backyard Classic 2023 was another great success! Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor Geico once again for your support and dedication to this event over the years! Thank you Canalside for your operational efforts and hosting this great event for the 6th consecutive year.

Special thanks to Oishei Children's Hospital for their help in coordinating Volunteers and Sponsorships. We are very grateful to be giving back to one of the most important Charities in Western New York, helping our kids when they absolutely need it the most!!

Thank you to the WNY Business Community for their in-kind and monetary donations, manpower and logistical help, all very much necessary to put this event on. Thank you to our 100+ volunteers who came down to help during their personal time, giving back in brutally cold conditions. A very special thank you to The Buffalo State Women's Hockey Team who sent their entire team, 21 Volunteers.

Congratulations to all of our Winners and Runner-ups!

Adult Champions -

Riding Dirty
Frozen Spartans
Full Send
Oasis
My Rep + LLC

Youth Champions -

6U - Buffalo City Blazers/ Blizzard
6U - Southtown Stars
10U - WNY Renegades
12U - Regals
14U - Bills Mafia

Shout out to our friends at Pace Landscaping & Ice Rinks for helping us again this year!

They have been a great partner for years and we appreciate everything they have done to help us with our charity tournament.

❇️ We are looking for Volunteers!
Can you help on Saturday from 8am-Noon?
We also have Noon-4pm available! ↓

👀 Help us raise funds for Oishei Children's Hospital Thank You for your interest in Volunteering for The Backyard Classic ​ Brought to you by...

☝🏻 Attention Hockey Players & Parents...
We need YOU for our Charity Tournament
at Canalside for Oishei Children's Hospital

Click here to enter a team ➡️ Feb 4th & 5th at Canalside

Limited spots available, filling up fast! Don’t miss your chance to play at Canalside Feb 4-5!
All Ages with Full Nets & Goalies 🥅

Click here to enter your team 💙 Support Oishei Children's Hospital

Our Charity Tournament is February 4th & 5th!
Play Pond Hockey on the Ice at Canalside 🏒
🥅 Full Nets & Goalies / All Ages 6U- Adult

All Proceeds to Benefit Oishei Children's Hospital ➡️

Play Hockey on the Ice at Canalside! 🏒
February 4th & 5th for Oishei Children's Hospital
All Ages 6U-Adult with Full Nets & Goalies 🥅

Register Your Team ➡️ We're filling up fast, don't wait!

Does your team have what it takes? 🏆
🏒 Tournament for Oishei Children's Hospital
Full Nets & Goalies | All Ages 6U to Adult 🥅

Register Your Team Here ➡️ ▶︎ Feb 4th & 5th at Canalside!

🏒 Pond hockey is taking over Canalside!
All Ages from 6U-Adult 🥅
Feb 4th & 5th with Full Nets & Goalies

Click to Register Your Team➡️ For Oishei Children's Hospital

Shout out to our friends at Third Assist Hockey Company for the tournament spotlight!
Check out the full story below ↓

Tournament Spotlight: The Backyard Classic in Buffalo, New York Name of the Tournament: The Backyard Classic Location of the Tournament: Canalside Buffalo, New York What time of the year? February 4-5, 2023 What ages are welcomed to play? 6U - Adult 30 Over Rec and 30 Under Competitive What's the size of the tournament? 85 Teams 600 players Divisions from 6U...