 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.
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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. The Labatt Lineup- USA Hockey Pond Hockey Nationals, New England Pond Hockey Classic, and The Lake Champlain Pond Hockey ClassicLocation of Tournament: Eagle River, Wisconsin Meredith, New Hampshire Colchester, Vermont Time of Year: February 8-10, 2019 February 1-3, 2019 February 8-10, 2019  Ages Welcomed to Play: Adults 21+. Sponsored by Labatt Blue- makes sense! Size of the Tournament: Eagle River, WI is over 2000 players. Meredith, NH is over 2000 players. Colchester, VT is over 1200 players. Special Entertainment: We're going to venture a guess you'll find a nicely stocked beer tent here among other awesome food, drink, hockey vendors at all three locales.  What Sets This Tournament Apart: These are the large-scale, well-run, well-established tournaments in the pond hockey world. They frequently sell out well before the holidays, as they did this year. You can expect lots of teams, lots of food and drinks, and lots of entertainment. This may sound like a mass-produced tournament, but each one is a reflection of the area where it's being played. One size does not fit all, and that's what makes this tournament line-up so cool. Third Assist's Take: These tournaments have been going on for over a decade now and have got it figured out. When you sign up to one of these events you have a good idea of what you're getting into, and it does not disappoint. These represent the upper tier of national tournaments and if you're looking to get on the big stage of pond hockey, these are the tournaments for you.  Where to Learn More About This Tournament:
www.usahockey.com/pondhockey www.pondhockeyclassic.com/newengland www.pondhockeyclassic.com/lakechamplain *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. Maine Pond Hockey ClassicLocation of Tournament: Snow Pond Center for the Arts in Sidney, Maine Time of Year: February 8-10, 2019 (2nd weekend in February annually)  Ages Welcomed to Play: Adults 18+ Size of the Tournament: 70+ teams in 9 divisions Special Entertainment: Games under the lights & welcome skate on Friday night, beer garden, and a player social on Saturday evening.  Any Special Vendors: Spectrum Healthcare Partners, Bud Light, Camden National Bank What Sets This Tournament Apart: We think their trophies set Maine Pond Hockey Classic apart from any other tournament, as they are certainly one of a kind, and on top of that there is a solid mix of divisions. Players come with great attitudes. The tournament takes place at an amazing venue & backdrop as the Snow Pond Center for the Arts is located at a summer camp with over 80 years for summer traditions. Lastly the tournament is easily accessible, located within 10 minutes for I-95 and two of Maine’s larger Communities (Waterville & Augusta). Third Assist's Take: This tournament is the go-to tournament for experiencing the Pine Tree State. Before Third Assist was based in Maine we had heard about this tournament in pond hockey circles. Now we find ourselves just one hour from this tournament and we know we will be making a visit this coming winter. Fun tournament in a winter wonderland and the proceeds go to a good cause. We'll be there.  Where to Learn More About This Tournament:
www.mainepondhockey.org www.facebook.com/mainepondhockey www.twitter.com/mainepondhockey *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. There's no way we don't share this movie on our site. Great movie showing the love of the game as it was originally played. It has connections with nearly every hockey player who watches it. Enjoy. |
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