The NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY CUP is a "AAA" international youth hockey tournament, based in Albany, the capital of New York State, and Troy, the home of Samuel Wilson, popularly known as "Uncle Sam." The NYIHC takes place December 28 through December 31. It is hosted by The Albany Academy and local youth hockey associations. Teams competing in our tournament are strong club and select teams from the U.S., Canada and overseas. Teams compete on five different age levels.

The purpose of the tournament is to showcase high caliber ice hockey with contrasting styles of play and to foster cultural exchange among players and coaches alike. In 2003, we introduced a referee exchange program in co-operation with the ice hockey federations of some of the countries represented in our tournament.

Each year at Opening Ceremonies, the "President's Award" is made to one individual who has made a significant contribution to our great sport during his or her lifetime on a community or national level.

We believe the way we play sports is a reflection of our cultural values. We wish to emphasis good sportsmanship, sports as a healthy way of life & lifetime pursuit, skills & player development, nutrition, sports medicine & therapy, and education through sports, i.e., learning by doing and interacting with other people. Ideally, young athletes are able to use their sports to achieve the best education possible.