MARQUETTE — Statewide tryouts, including several sessions in the Upper Peninsula, will be held for the Meijer State Games of Michigan youth hockey tournaments to be held during the event’s Summer Games in June.

Tryouts in District 8 — which comprises the entire U.P. and only the U.P. — will be held in Marquette at Lakeview Arena on Saturday, April 26.

Organizers say the tryouts over six divisions, four open and two specifically for girls, run from 3-5 p.m., with specific division times to be assigned.

Another tryout will be held on Thursday, May 8, in Sault Ste. Marie at Big Bear Arena from 5:15-7:15 p.m., again with specific division times to be assigned.

The state’s eight divisions will each come up with a team to compete in as many divisions as possible for the tourney to be held at multiple rinks in the Grand Rapids area from June 19-22. They include rinks in Grand Rapids, Hudsonville, Byron Center, Walker and Cedar Springs.

Organizers at the Meijer State Games website at www.stategamesofmichigan.com/hockey mention that this will be a “stay to play tournament,” meaning athletes will be given a hotel block to book from during the event.

The open divisions are based on birth year — 11-under are for players born in 2014, 2015 and 2016; 13U for the 2012 and 2013 birth years; 15U for 2010 and 2011; and 18U for 2007, 2008 and 2009.

On the other hand, the two girls divisions are based on the grade of the player in this current school year, with divisions for seventh to ninth grade and the other for 10th through 12th grade.

Cost for tryouts is $50 per person with an additional team fee for those who make a team of $180. The team fee helps cover the cost of one hour of practice time, a jersey and socks, three guaranteed games in the state tourney and costs associated with the opening ceremony of the Summer Games.

Once teams in the various divisions are formed, each team will have just one practice before playing, providing a different experience for hockey players looking to get more ice time in the summer while honing their skills, along with testing their teamwork skills and adaptability.

Organizers mention that Tier 1 and AAA players must receive permission to play in this tournament.

They’re also looking for volunteer hockey coaches for the event, with more information available at the hockey part of the Meijer Games website.

For more information, email Chad Dameworth at cdameworth@stategamesofmichigan.com or write to the general hockey email at hockey@stategamesofmichigan.com.

More than three dozen sports are listed on the Meijer Games website for this summer, including some more traditionally thought of as winter sports, including hockey, figure skating and bowling.

Other more summer-like sports include pickleball, ninja, disc golf, paintball, multiple shooting sports and beach wrestling, but also traditional ones like basketball, tennis, running, boxing and golf.

Story contents based on Meijer State Games of Michigan press release. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.