 As part of Third Assist's "Ultimate Pond Hockey Resource" we've reached out to the best pond hockey tournaments taking place this winter in the United States. We want to know where they're at, what makes them unique, and why we should visit this upcoming winter. Safe to say we're sold on the following tournaments. Location of Tournament: 215 Water Street, Port Perry, Ontario Time of Year: Saturday, February 8th, 2020  Ages Welcomed to Play: 18+ Size of the Tournament: 20+ Teams per year Special Entertainment: Spectator activities, Skill shot games for children, Silent auction Special Vendors: Tim Horton’s  What Sets This Tournament Apart: A well-respected charity tournament run by a non-profit Search and Rescue organization benefitting a local charity every year. A fantastic opportunity to play a fast-paced pond hockey game with hockey fanatics, while giving back to the local community. Third Assist's Take: The local ones are some of the best. This is a smaller scale tournament, but they’re open for new teams to join in. With all proceeds going to local charities this is a good competitive time, but ultimately the tournament is there for fun and a good cause. Lake Scugog is only about one hour from Toronto proper which means this tournament makes for a prime occasion for hockey’s weekend warriors. Check out the links below to learn more and get involved.  Where to Learn More About This Tournament:
www.scugogpondhockey.com Lake Scugog Pond Hockey Facebook *All photos used by permission from tournament
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 As part of Third Assist's "Ultimate Pond Hockey Resource" we've reached out to the best pond hockey tournaments taking place this winter in the United States. We want to know where they're at, what makes them unique, and why we should visit this upcoming winter. Safe to say we're sold on the following tournaments. Location of Tournament: Silverthorne, Colorado Time of Year: February 14-16, 2020  Ages Welcomed to Play: 16+ with parental consent Size of the Tournament: 200 teams, 6 divisions, 1,200 players, 15,000 people total at event Special Entertainment: Apres Ice Party Hockey Hair Project (Saturday night February 15)  What Sets This Tournament Apart: The combination of Colorado scenic views (Rocky Mountains), entertainment, but most importantly the people who return year after year for this tournament. The fan loyalty is unbelievable and we are so grateful to everyone who has participated in this tournament year after year. Third Assist's Take: This tournament is situated over President’s day weekend in the heart of the Colorado winter. Perfect timing yes, but also appears to be the perfect location for a getaway tournament or even easier, a fun drive from the Denver metro area. It’s situated in the heart of Colorado’s ski country with Rocky Mountain views and plenty of snow. On our side we think the location is the selling point, but it doesn’t lack in production either. A couple years running and over 200 teams means this may be one of the top tournaments you'll find out west.  Where to Learn More About This Tournament:
www.coloradopondhockey.com Pabst Pond Hockey Facebook Pabst Pond Hockey Instagram *All photos used by permission from tournament.  As part of Third Assist's "Ultimate Pond Hockey Resource" we've reached out to the best pond hockey tournaments taking place this winter in the United States. We want to know where they're at, what makes them unique, and why we should visit this upcoming winter. Safe to say we're sold on the following tournaments.  Location of Tournament: York, Pennsylvania Time of Year: December through March Ages Welcomed to Play: U8 Mite Level Size of the Tournament: 10 Tournaments total with two 4-6 team divisions Special Entertainment: Full service resort; snow tubing, trampoline park, bar, restaurant, and spa  What Sets This Tournament Apart: We put the fun back in youth hockey. Families can walk from their hotel room to our 60'x120' outdoor rink. Add in snow tubing and the fun doesn't stop. Third Assist's Take: This is one of those tournaments aimed at the whole family. Situated at Heritage Hills Resort, there's enough entertainment to keep the parents and kids entertained. With tournaments spanning the whole winter, this location is the perfect opportunity for the younger guys/gals to get exposure to the pond hockey world. A nice starter tournament in a very accessible location!  Where to Learn More About This Tournament:
https://avalanchexpress.com/mite-outdoor-classic/ *All photos used by permission from tournament.  From the quirky to the innovative, we've been hearing tons of ways to keep your fingers warm in freezing temperatures. We're in the business of keeping warm, so here are some of the best ways we have found- Starting with the unusual..  1) Vaseline This is a strange one on us. Did you know NFL players often coat their faces and arms in Vaseline to prevent windburn? It's supposed to act as one more layer of insulation and protect skin from drying and taking abuse in the cold air. We also heard that paramedics north of the Arctic circle often put Vaseline on their hands because they need to keep their fingers nimble in certain emergency situations. Messy, but effective. 2 and 3) Cayenne Pepper/Chili Powder- capsaicin We're grouping these two together. This is another unique tip we've heard from those in the winter running circles. The idea is to sprinkle a little powder or flakes of either cayenne pepper or chili powder onto bare skin, and the skin will react to draw blood to the surface. This is thanks to chili powder's active ingredient of Capsaicin, but the cayenne pepper flakes act the same way. We've heard this is quite effective, but we've also heard a little goes a long ways, so be careful!
5) Liners This is the first step we all go to- find some cheap liners that'll fit in our gloves. Often this can be effective and provide just the little bit of insulation we need to keep our digits warm, but sometimes too many layers can work against us by isolating our finger's heat from each other. Also if you're playing hockey you lose some feel for your stick, but this is definitely worth the first try!  6) Third Assist Gloves
Of course we'll throw a quick pitch for our gloves. We've tried a number of different insulations over the years in our gloves, but we only share our favorites. You can skate around in our gloves, but the primary focus is for hockey- protection and warmth. Our gloves are lined with insulation throughout to keep a warm, but breathable enclosure. However we make sure not to line the palm or finger fronts so the user can maintain full feel of their stick. Check out our selection and see if it's worth a shot for you. Have you tried any of these out- or heard of others? Let us know in the comments below!  As part of Third Assist's "Ultimate Pond Hockey Resource" we've reached out to the best pond hockey tournaments taking place this winter in the United States. We want to know where they're at, what makes them unique, and why we should visit this upcoming winter. Safe to say we're sold on the following tournaments. Thompson's Point Hockey ClassicLocation of Tournament: Thompson's Point, Portland, Maine Time of Year: Usually first or second weekend of March  Ages Welcomed to Play: Adults 18+ Size of the Tournament: We have 5 divisions (Elite, Open Plus, Open Low, Beginner and Over 40 with our max being 28 teams Special Entertainment: Live music on site provided by Brian Papson (Country artist)  Any Special Vendors? Event consist of Portland area restaurants donating food throughout the event for the players. Maine Mariners on site last year. What Sets This Tournament Apart: This event is unique do to its location, out on Thompson's Point in Portland. Also, the TPHC sets itself apart with its hybrid type outdoor hockey. We have boards and a Zamboni on site, this creates a faster game play and smoother ice. The multiple divisions allow it to stay competitive and the participants leave with a great gift bag, we have 20 plus free raffle items, free dinner and lunches. Third Assist's Take: They said it best for what makes this one unique. It's a hybrid. Small rink with boards, good ice, quick game. It's a cleaner and faster game which is always fun. The rink alone is a cool venue, but its location is what sets it apart. Portland, Maine is a happening cultural hub in the northeast and Thompson's Point has all the best aspects of Portland in one location: Good food, beer, music, and best of all hockey. Definitely worth the visit.  Where to Learn More About This Tournament:
www.thompsonpointhockeyclassic.com www.instagram.com/thompsonsphc *All photos used by permission from tournament.  As part of Third Assist's "Ultimate Pond Hockey Resource" we've reached out to the best pond hockey tournaments taking place this winter in the United States. We want to know where they're at, what makes them unique, and why we should visit this upcoming winter. Safe to say we're sold on the following tournaments. Michigan Pond Hockey ClassicLocation of Tournament: Whitmore Lake, Michigan Time of Year: February 8-10, 2019  Ages Welcomed to Play: Adults 18+ Size of the Tournament: 8 divisions, typically about 100-110 teams, approx 950 players Special Entertainment: Live band Friday and Saturday, and one HUGE Beer tent.  Any Special Vendors? Lots of vendors for the facilities, and the onsite presence is mostly sponsors. What Sets This Tournament Apart: The tournament is the primary fundraiser for the Michigan Pond Hockey Sports Charities, which provides financial assistance to promote and encourage participation in youth athletic programs. Our tournament provides a three day, festival like atmosphere in the heart of Michigan, and brings people out of their winter hibernation. The event features 24 rinks carved out on beautiful Whitmore Lake. Third Assist's Take: As you may have seen already, there are pond hockey events of all scales and sizes taking place this winter. You can go to a tournament on a national circuit sponsored by large corps, or you can find a local tournament which is lightly advertised and only grabs players within a 20 mile radius. What we like about the Michigan Pond Hockey Classic is that it's the best mix of both. It's an established, well-run tournament with entertainment to last the full weekend, but it still represents the Wolverine state well. This one has been on our radar for years, so we'd be all in to register for a weekend here.  Where to Learn More About This Tournament:
www.facebook.com/michiganpondhockeyclassic *All photos used by permission from tournament.  As part of Third Assist's "Ultimate Pond Hockey Resource" we've reached out to the best pond hockey tournaments taking place this winter in the United States. We want to know where they're at, what makes them unique, and why we should visit this upcoming winter. Safe to say we're sold on the following tournaments. Last Frontier Pond Hockey ClassicLocation of Tournament: At The Burkshore Marina in Big Lake, Alaska. Exact Address: 3610 S. Burkeshore Dr. Big Lake Alaska Time of Year: March 8-10 2019  Ages Welcomed to Play: Youth and Adults Size of the Tournament: 9 Divisions (U10,U14, U18, Novice, Co-Ed, Open, Women, Elite, 49ers) 107 in 2018 Special Entertainment: Two free concerts for those 21+ on Friday and Saturday nights. This is in addition to fireworks Saturday night, and a free family rink available weekend-long.  Any Special Vendors: 49th State Brewing Company provides great food, beer garden, food trucks, etc... What Sets This Tournament Apart: One word: Alaska. Oh, the trophy here is pretty amazing too. Third Assist's Take: This tournament is truly one-of-a-kind. It takes place on Big Lake which is about a hour out of the state's largest city of Anchorage. The owners of Third Assist are originally from Anchorage, and Big Lake was one of the first places we played pond hockey. It only makes sense that Alaska's premier tournament takes place in a setting like Big Lake. Cool setting, cool music, cool trophies. This is on our pond hockey bucket-list.  Where to Learn More About This Tournament:
www.akpond.com www.facebook.com/lastfrontierpondhockey *All photos used by permission from tournament.  As part of Third Assist's "Ultimate Pond Hockey Resource" we've reached out to the best pond hockey tournaments taking place this winter in the United States. We want to know where they're at, what makes them unique, and why we should visit this upcoming winter. Safe to say we're sold on the following tournaments. Bing Pond FestLocation of Tournament: Chenango Valley State Park (New York) Time of Year: Multiple tournaments over multiple weekends- January 12-13 is the Youth House Tournament January 18-20 is the College Level Tournament January 25-27 is the Adult Tournament February 8-10 is the 10 and under Tournament  Size of the Tournament: Each Tournament (weekend) features 250-300 active players Special Entertainment: Varies by weekend and audience but in year's past there's been fireworks, animal interactions, local live music, sledding and more. Various vendors attend as well.  What Sets This Tournament Apart: This is the only tournament with mechanical refrigeration in a state park setting. That means nearly-guaranteed ice in a beautiful part of the state. Also, proceeds from the tournament go to local DIFD programs for youth suicide prevention and youth mental health awareness. Third Assist's Take: Stable, eye-catching setting with multiple weekends to take part. It's one of a kind for the U.S.  Where to Learn More About This Tournament:
www.bingpondfest.com/ facebook.com/bingpondfest instagram.com/bingpondfest twitter.com/bingpondfest https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHP92P0c3ihyMDm1lSSjDA *All photos used by permission from tournament.  As part of Third Assist's "Ultimate Pond Hockey Resource" we've reached out to the best pond hockey tournaments taking place this winter in the United States. We want to know where they're at, what makes them unique, and why we should visit this upcoming winter. Safe to say we're sold on the following tournaments. Great Lakes Pond Hockey ClassicLocation of Tournament: Superior, Wisconsin Time of Year: January 25-27, 2019  Ages Welcomed to Play: 18+ Size of the Tournament: Can Accept up to 48 Teams: Divisions which accept teams are Open Division, Rink-Rat Division, Senior Division, and a Women's Division. Special Entertainment: The tournament features live music on Friday and Saturday nights. It also coincides with the Lake Superior Ice Festival which includes family events and fireworks on the lake at night. More about the Ice Festival can be found here: www.lakesuperioricefestival.com  What Sets This Tournament Apart: This event is patterned after the World Pond Hockey Championship held in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick. The Great Lakes Pond Hockey Classic began in 2004 and at the time was the only US affiliate/partner of the Plaster Rock Tournament. Some of the key components that sets this tournament apart are that the tournament is volunteer driven, and all profits from the event are directed to the Superior Amateur Hockey Association to positively impact kids lives. The Great Lakes Pond Hockey Classic is the only pond hockey tournament played on the largest fresh water pond in the world and one of the only pond hockey tournaments that includes games played under the lights on Friday night. In an area where hockey tradition and excellence have deep roots, the Great Lakes Pond Hockey Classic embodies the purity of the sport.  Third Assist's Take:
You read the reasons above about what makes this so unique. One might even go so far as say Lake Superior is the largest pond hockey rink in the world. As for facts we can actually back up, the Great Lakes Pond Hockey Classic is a long-standing tournament and is the success model for tournaments taking place in the U.S. This is one of the premier tournaments to register for in the entire Midwest, and all proceeds go to a good cause. Count us in. Where to Learn More About This Tournament: www.greatlakespondhockey.com www.facebook.com/greatlakespondhockeyclassic *All photos used by permission from tournament.  As part of Third Assist's "Ultimate Pond Hockey Resource" we've reached out to the best pond hockey tournaments taking place this winter in the United States. We want to know where they're at, what makes them unique, and why we should visit this upcoming winter. Safe to say we're sold on the following tournaments. Frostbite FaceoffLocation of Tournament: Lake Morey Resort (Fairlee, Vermont) Time of Year: January 25-27, 2019  Ages Welcomed to Play: 21+ Size of the Tournament: 90 teams total: 3 Men's Divisions (A/B, C, D/E) 2 Women's Divisions (B/C, D/E) 1 Coed Division Special Entertainment: The tournament features themed parties on Friday and Saturday night. This includes live music, an on-ice DJ, outdoor beer garden, late-night DJ, and Photobooth.  Special Vendors:
Skate sharpening on site, hockey merch, and other sporting goods. What Sets This Tournament Apart: Frostbite Faceoff offers competitive men's and women's divisions in a convenient and beautiful location: The White Mountains of Vermont. With this backdrop you can take part in one of their signature "Friday Night Lights" games. Third Assist's Take: If you're in the area between Burlington and Concord, or looking for a destination tournament, Frostbite Faceoff is one of the best choices out there. You can play outdoors in scenic spot with festivities to keep you entertained all weekend long. We're sold. Where to Learn More About This Tournament: www.frostbitefaceoff.com/ www.facebook.com/frostbitefaceoff/ *All photos used by permission from tournament. |
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