This Memorial Day was about more than remembrance in Middle Village — it was about roller hockey, teamwork and neighborhood connection.
The Middle Village Roller Hockey (MVP) League hosted its inaugural Memorial Day Mite tournament at Juniper Valley Park on May 26. The tournament welcomed young players from the Mafera Park Penguins, a neighboring Queens roller hockey program based in Ridgewood, for an afternoon of spirited competition and fellowship.
The event marked the first official interleague collaboration between the MVP League and Mafera Park, bringing dozens of players, families and volunteers together on the holiday. Organizers said the goal was not just to compete, but to build bridges across local hockey communities and give kids the chance to form new bonds through sport.
Players were randomly divided into three creatively named squads — the Tigers, Squirrels, and Thunder — offering them the rare opportunity to team up with peers they’d never played alongside before.
Each team played four games during the round-robin portion of the day, with MVP League administrator Paul Pogozelski and fellow goaltender Juan Jose Muñoz heroically rotating through all nine matchups to keep the games flowing.
The Thunder team emerged as the top seed and faced the Penguins in a thrilling semifinal that ended in a shootout. Max Szablinski buried the game-winning goal, launching Thunder into the championship.
In the final, Thunder squared off against the Squirrels in a tightly contested game that remained scoreless through regulation and overtime. The title was once again decided in a shootout, with Alexander Posylkin netting the decisive goal and Pogozelski delivering a clutch save to secure the tournament crown.
“This wasn’t just about hockey — it was about building community through sport,” said Pogozelski. “Seeing the kids from different neighborhoods mix together, support one another, and compete with great sportsmanship was a win for everyone involved.”
The Middle Village Roller Hockey League, which has served the local community for over a decade, has continued to grow in recent years as more families seek affordable, outdoor sports options for children. The league offers seasonal programs for players ages 4 to 17 and places an emphasis on teamwork, inclusivity and neighborhood pride.
Organizers hope this tournament sets the stage for future events with other neighborhood programs, including home-and-away games and joint skills clinics.
