Inaugural Ottawa Park Classic Set for Outdoor Showdown - Delta College Prep vs Gamblers Hockey

On Friday, January 23rd at 6:00 PM, Delta College Prep will face off against Gamblers Hockey 18UAAA in the first annual Ottawa Park Classic, an outdoor hockey game held at Ottawa Park Ice Arena in Toledo, Ohio.

The game will be played on neutral ground, serving as an Ohio vs. Michigan border-battle matchup between two of the Great Lakes region’s premier non-sanctioned 18UAAA/Prep programs. The Ottawa Park Classic is proudly presented and sponsored by DeltaFaraday.com, North America’s leading source for EMC, EMF, and Telecom equipment, systems, and compliance solutions.

At stake is the Walleye Cup trophy, which will be awarded to the victorious club for year-long bragging rights until the following season. The Ottawa Park Classic is expected to become an annual marquee event, with players competing for “the fish” in a unique outdoor hockey atmosphere.

Delta College Prep and Gamblers Hockey share a competitive yet friendly rivalry, facing each other three to five times per season. The teams met once earlier this season in a tightly contested matchup that went to overtime, resulting in a 2–1 Delta College Prep victory. Both organizations maintain a strong working relationship and mutual respect between coaching and management staffs.

The Ottawa Park Classic is one of the only outdoor games scheduled for the 18UAAA/Prep level during the 2025–26 season, offering a rare experience typically reserved for higher-level or professional events. The concept draws inspiration from the NHL Winter Classic, bringing outdoor hockey tradition to the elite youth and prep level.

General Manager David Dew:

“This is a really fun concept for our kids to experience something that’s otherwise unavailable at this level. We all grew up watching the NHL outdoor games, now they get to experience something similar, with a trophy on the line. A big thank you to Jason McCrimmon and Gamblers Hockey for participating. We want to do this for a long time and continue to emphasize this partnership.”

Head Coach Mitch Gillespie:

“Very excited to see our kids take the ice for an outdoor game. Very few get to skate in an outdoor rink, let alone play a game. Going to be a cold one but this is hockey at its core. Our kids have worked hard all year and earned this opportunity to play in an outdoor game.” 

The Ottawa Park Classic is expected to become a staple event for both programs and a highlight of the regional hockey calendar moving forward.