The U.S. Pond Hockey Championships, the nation's largest outdoor pond hockey tournament, returns to Lake Nokomis on Jan. 24 for its fifth year.
Fred Haberman, commissioner/founder of the tournament and president of the Downtown-based public relations firm Haberman, says the event will be better than ever this year. A new feature includes the country's largest youth hockey pick-up event.
"As always, we'll have a narrowed field of the best players around competing for the Golden Shovel, and fans can rub elbows with thousands of loyal hockey nuts over hot chocolate and a hot dog," he said. "The youth pick-up event that will give kids a chance to lace up and be more than just spectators at one of the most celebrated winter sports events on the planet."
There are eight teams in each division: Ice Cube (kindergarten and first grade); Popsicle (second and third grades); and Glacier (fourth, fifth and sixth grades). Each team will have six players and no goalie. Adult volunteers will help oversee the games. The fee is $120 for each team.
The tournament starts at 1:30 p.m. For more information, visit uspondhockey.com.
