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SIDNEY — This year’s Maine Pond Hockey Classic tournament will be held on Feb. 10 to 12 at the Snow Pond Center for the Arts on Snow Pond (Messalonskee Lake). The deadline for signing up is Jan. 10.
Those who grew up playing pond hockey know there are few experiences that compare to skating outside. The wide-open ice, crisp fresh air, unpredictable surface and “gentleman’s” rules are all part of what makes pond hockey a unique and special experience. Over the past few years, the Maine Pond Hockey Classic has brought hundreds of players from around the northeast and beyond, to experience hockey in its purest form — on a pond.
The Maine Pond Hockey Classic began in 2013 with 14 teams on China Lake and has quickly grown into one of Maine’s biggest winter events. Now in its fourth year and second at Snow Pond Center for the Arts in Sidney, organizers are expecting more than 60 teams.
“We’ve grown our numbers every year,” tournament Director Patrick Guerette said. “We are really excited that we already have more teams registered than we did last year, and we still have a few days left for teams to sign up.”
The tournament has secured more than 35 teams from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Nova Scotia, and, of course, Maine. Guerette also pointed out that a large portion of teams register right at the Jan. 10 deadline. Teams that don’t make the deadline are placed on a wait list.
And the popularity has not gone unnoticed, as the tournament recently partnered with Camden National Bank as its new MVP Sponsor.
“At Camden National Bank, we know the value of a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Renee Smyth, Camden’s chief marketing officer. “Outdoor recreation, such as pond hockey, is a great way to stay active in the wintertime. We are honored to be able to partner with the Alfond Youth Center to support the Maine Pond Hockey Classic, which draws teams of all ages and abilities across the great state of Maine and beyond to the Waterville area.”
The Maine Pond Hockey Classic provides a festival-like atmosphere for players and spectators alike. The tournament site will contain at least eight rinks, a community skating area, beer garden, firepits, music, tournament store, food vendors, a Polar Bear Dip on Saturday morning and more.
Tournament organizers have experienced what a great location Snow Pond Center for the Arts is for the tournament.
“When you are hosting players from far away, you want to make sure you think of the entire player experience,” said Bert Languet, volunteer director of event operations. “This location provides a lot of amenities. We have ample parking, drive-on access to the ice and heated indoor space for between games. The players really appreciate these conveniences.”
The tournament offers six divisions for players of different ages and abilities, including Open A, Open B, Women’s, Recreational, 40+ and Just for Fun.
Each division winner receives a prize pack including complimentary entry to the following year’s tournament, championship sweatshirts and a very unique trophy featuring the state of Maine cut from old hockey sticks.
“We like having a trophy that you won’t see anywhere else,” Guerette said.
Each team plays three pool play games for seeding followed by a single elimination tournament. Pond hockey is played four on four without goalies or on-ice officials, and each team is allowed to have up to seven players on their roster.
The Maine Pond Hockey Classic is an annual fundraising tournament supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA of Greater Waterville.
More information can be found on the tournament at www.mainepondhockey.org.
You can follow the tournament on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mainepondhockey or on twitter @mainepondhockey.
For those looking to get involved with the MPHC, there are several volunteer opportunities available. If interested, please contact Guerette at mepondhockeyclassic@gmail.com.
