The Dan Jilek City Tournament takes place annually each year between the four Ann Arbor-based hockey programs. Ann Arbor Pioneer, Ann Arbor Skyline, Ann Arbor Huron and Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard will clash on the ice next week in a quest to win the 2023 city championship; a title that the Irish currently hold as defending champions. Additionally, all four squads will compete off the ice in a unique ‘Best in Flow’ fundraising contest as well.

Each team selected players to represent them in a race to see which team has the best lettuce, the best salad, the best mop… the best hockey hair. The general public can cast votes for their respective teams in the form of dollar donations to the MJR Foundation; an organization established to empower the youth athletic community to promote mental well-being and suicide prevention. 

The non-profit organization was established in memory of Skyline alum Miles Jeffrey Roberts. 

Roberts was a freshman defenseman for the Eagles during the 2016-17 season, before he passed away that May. He wore the No. 8 jersey, playing alongside his older brother Zach Roberts, who was a junior at the time. Since that season, though, Miles’ jersey number went unworn by future Eagles players, ceremoniously retired in a way to commemorate his memory and impact on the program. 

That was, until his younger brother Shane Roberts switched from No. 13 to his older brother's No. 8 last fall.  Shane honored his brother’s legacy while also creating a bit of his own, as he joined the Eagles leadership group, adding a captain's letter to the sweater. He has Skyline off to a 2-0-0 start; the program’s best start since 2021 when they finished 9-5-0 during a COVID-shortened season.

While Jilek Cup games aren’t slated to start until Dec. 5th, the Best in Flow competition began on Nov. 14th and will run through the conclusion of the tournament on Dec. 9th. To learn more about the MJR Foundation, and cast your vote for the Best in Flow, click HERE.