Kirkwood Youth Hockey Team Wins Blue Note Cup

Under-10 C2-2 Kirkwood Stars capture championship in St. Louis area tournament

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:30am

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The under-10 C2-2 Kirkwood Stars from the Kirkwood Youth Hockey Organization in the St. Louis area have won the Blue Note Cup, a prestigious youth hockey tournament. The team, which includes Adeline McKenna, daughter of former NHL goaltender Mike McKenna who is also part of the Kirkwood coaching staff, entered the competition as the No. 3 seed but won three straight games to capture the trophy, including a 4-3 victory over Lady Liberty in the final.

Why it matters

The Kirkwood Stars' championship win is a testament to the hard work and development of the young players, some of whom came from the organization's Learn to Play program and blossomed into outstanding players over the course of the season. The victory also highlights the important role that youth hockey programs and coaching can play in fostering the next generation of hockey talent.

The details

The Kirkwood Stars had to win three consecutive games to claim the Blue Note Cup title, including a close 4-3 victory over Lady Liberty in the final. Coach Mike McKenna praised the team's improvement throughout the season, noting that four players came from the organization's Learn to Play program and went on to become standout performers.

  • The Kirkwood Stars won the Blue Note Cup in 2026.

The players

Adeline McKenna

A player on the Kirkwood Stars under-10 C2-2 team.

Mike McKenna

Former NHL goaltender and current coach of the Kirkwood Stars.

Kirkwood Youth Hockey Organization

The youth hockey organization in Kirkwood, Missouri that the Kirkwood Stars team is a part of.

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What they’re saying

“The improvement throughout the season was incredible. [We had] four players that came from the Learn to Play program. ... They took off and became outstanding players.”

— Mike McKenna, Kirkwood Stars Coach

The takeaway

The Kirkwood Stars' championship win in the Blue Note Cup highlights the important role that youth hockey programs and dedicated coaching can play in developing the next generation of hockey talent. The team's success, which included players who came up through the organization's Learn to Play program, demonstrates the value of grassroots hockey development efforts.