After 66 years, a cherished hockey tradition in Peterborough will see its final face-off in 2026.
On Tuesday (July 29), organizers announced the Peterborough Liftlock Atom Hockey Tournament for nine to 11 year olds — now called the Peterborough Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament — will end after one final edition to be held from January 9 to 11, 2026 at various arenas in Peterborough.
According to a media release from longtime director Bill Auckland, the decision to end the tournament has been “a difficult one.”
Auckland cites increasing difficulty in finding and retaining enough volunteers to maintain the tournament, including for scheduling and arena operations, as one of the reasons.
“Changes within the broader minor hockey landscape may have also contributed to the challenges,” reads the media release.
At its peak, the tournament was one of the largest and most respected Atom-level tournaments in North America, regularly attracting around 100 teams from across Ontario, Quebec, and the U.S. However, the number of participating teams has declined since a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, with 87 teams in 2023, 71 in 2024, and 64 in 2025.
The Peterborough Liftlock Atom Hockey Tournament began in 1958-59 as a one-day event for Pee Wee players (11 and 12 years old) with eight teams.
The tournament grew over the years and, after adapting to age-grouping changes by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), eventually settled on the “Atom” designation in 1974. Just before the pandemic, the OMHA renamed the Atom division to U11 and the tournament followed suit.
According to organizers, 87 past tournament participants went on to play in the National Hockey League, including well-known players like Wayne Gretzky, Eric Lindros, Bob Gainey, Tie Domi, and more.
As well as proceeds from the tournament contributing to lower hockey costs for local minor players, the tournament has also supported local and national charitable causes as well as capital projects like the Evinrude Centre, Kinsman Civic Centre, and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
Last year’s tournament donated $2,500 to the Ennismore Inclusive Playground Project.
Auckland says the final edition “promises to be a celebratory send-off.”
