About the Tournament

Jump start the season with the Maritime's most anticipated event!

Operated by the Fredericton Youth Ringette Association, the Ed Benoit Early Bird Tournament is the capital city’s largest annual sporting event.

The tournament, which has been operating for more than 20 years and attracts players from across the Maritimes, occurs over three days and is comprised of over 100 games which are played on six ice surfaces (within 4 venues) in Fredericton.

The 2023 tournament had more than 80 teams registered from the FUN to U19 category - we are expecting even more for 2024!

Approximately 3,000 people attend the Early Bird Tournament including athletes, coaches, officials and spectators generating an annual economic impact of more than $600,000.

With a goal of creating a unique Players Experience this year we are pleased to announce the following activities for Players and Teams during the Tournament

Our Very Popular Bottle Cap Game is back (at the Willie O'Ree Rink), we hope you saved up!
We are welcoming back Rinkside Sports a vendor of Ringette Clothing and Equipment (located downstairs at Willie O’Ree)
Get your Early Bird clothing (hoodies) upstairs at Willie O'Ree.
We will have a hospitality suite at Willie O'Ree with photo-booth, snacks and McDonald's coffee !
We will have our “Tournament Central” located on the 2^nd Floor of Willie O’Ree and Grant Harvey. Pick up your game kits, scoresheets and get up to date scores.
A Player’s Lounge for all Players, Coaches and Managers is also available to use inside Tournament Central. Teams can gather here to eat a meal or relax between games.
Keough's photo will be at Willie O'Ree to take action shots of the players that will be available for purchase.
Fredericton Ringette Rentals will have a table at Grant Harvey where you can purchase various types of ringette swag and clothing.
Plinko will be at Grant Harvey *NEW*