A Summer of Skates and Smiles
Mammoth forward Michael Carcone has turned his off‑season passion into a community‑wide event, the Carcone Cup, a youth hockey tournament that brings dozens of kids together for a week of competition on the ice.
The tournament reflects a broader surge in youth hockey across Utah, where participation has risen by 40 percent and girls' hockey by 30 percent in recent years. Organizers say the demand and excitement for the sport are palpable throughout the state.
Carcone's own children, Eli and Lennon, served as the inspiration for the event, prompting the veteran forward to create a structured way to keep youngsters engaged in hockey during the summer months when leagues typically pause.
Beyond the competition, the Carcone Cup embodies Carcone's commitment to giving back, a value he traces back to his upbringing in Toronto, where he learned to love the game and the camaraderie it fosters.
Wrapping Up on the Ice
The week‑long tournament will conclude on Sunday at the Mammoth Ice Center, providing a final showcase for the participants and a chance for families to celebrate the growth of the sport.
Michael Carcone hopes the event will spark a lasting love for hockey in its participants, just as the game shaped his own career and community ties.