The AAU expanded the age groups to it's final total by adding the 8U and 10U age divisions bringing our total to the 6 youth age groups. All-American selections were named for the 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U divisions and All-Tournament teams were named for the two new groups. The tournament started with the 8U, 10U, and 18U divisions dropping the puck the first day of the games.

The 8U division crowned it's first champions when the WPPO Thunder (Pembroke Pines FL) defeated the L.I. Raptors (Long Island NY) in a clash of undefeateded teams. 8U Bronze Medalists were Coral Springs Cobras (Coral Springs FL) and the Copper went to the Jr. Everblades (Estereo FL). Tournament MVP was Greg Cartwright (L.I. Raptors).

The 10U division was won by the host team Skatium Blackjacks (Ft Myers FL) which cruised thru the tournament and in the finals defeated the Dirty Dozen (Pembroke Pines FL) to take the Gold. The Bronze Medal game saw the Rebels (Coral Springs FL) defeat the Raptors (Pembroke Pines FL). Goalie Matt Stevens of Skatium Blackjacks was named Tournament MVP.

The 12U division saw a 3-peat as the B.C. Ice Men won it's third straight AAU Inline Hockey Gold Medal as they defeated the Skatium Blackjacks (Ft Myers FL) in their last year in the 12U division. The Jr. Everblades (Estereo FL) took the Bronze Medal as they beat the Palm Harbor Lightning (Palm Harbor Lightning). Scott Halpren (B.C. Ice Men) won his second Tournament MVP award in a row.

The 14U division saw some classic games in the semi-finals and finals. Defending champion Team Xtreme (Cleveland OH) had to score 2 goals in the last 27 seconds of their semi-final game against WPPO Thunder (Pembroke Pines FL) to win 3-2 and go to the Gold Medal game. The Gold Medal game was one of the best of the tournament as Team Xtreme and Jr Everblades (Estereo FL) fought to a 1-1 tie after regulation. The game was still tied after overtime and went to a shootout as both teams faced All-American goalies in Charles Long (Team Xtreme) and Dustin Dickson (Jr Everblades) and they were not to be denied as the game was decided by the final shooter and the Jr Everblades knocked off the defending champs to claim their first Gold Medal. The Bronze Medal went to the WPPO Thunder whose only loss came in the semi-finals and the Copper Medal went to the Jacksonville Jokers (Jacksonville FL). The MVP went to two players, one for his play in the tournament, James Unger (Team Xtreme) and one for his play in the playoffs, Jamie Shields (Jr Everblades).

The 16U division saw the emergence of an AAU dynasty with Team Xtreme defending it's 1999 Gold Medal by going undefeated and in the championship game defeating the WPPO Thunder (Pembroke Pines FL) 2-1. What makes it remarkable is that Team Xtreme has only lost one game over the two years and they come back intact next year to go for the 3-peat with both 1999 Player Of The Year - Alan Jackson and 2000 Player Of The Year - Steve Schue.. The Bronze medal went to the Orlando Roller Bears (Orlando FL) and the Copper went to the Wolverines (Weston FL). The Tournament MVP was easy as Steve Schue broke all the AAU scoring records and was also named as the AAU Player Of The Year.

The 18U division saw a new king being crowned as the Jr Everblades (Estereo FL) knocked off the defending champions Team Xtreme (Cleveland OH) in overtime 4-3. The Bronze medal game saw the CCHL Rage (New Orleans LA) beat the Red Star Skatezone Sabres 3-2. The MVP was Chris Linden (Team Xtreme) who left his mark as the leading scorer of the tournament.

For more about the XXXIV AAU Junior Olympic Games and photos, stats, and the All-American team selections click below: