Pond Hockey Championships benefit charities

Pond hockey fanatics from across the nation, NHL legends, and other hockey greats will take to the pond later this month in Minnesota for the first-ever U.S. Pond Hockey Championships (USPHC), believed to be America's largest outdoor pond hockey tournament.

Set for January 20-22, 2006 on the frozen waters of Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis, the USPHC will be a three-day, 128-team, four-on-four competition for men and women.

Developed by a group of passionate pond hockey enthusiasts from Minnesota with a sincere appreciation and respect for the purity of the game, the USPHC seeks to draw attention to the traditions of outdoor hockey while giving back to the community. A percentage of proceeds will benefit the Herb Brooks Foundation and DinoMights Inner City Youth Hockey.

"It's hockey as nature intended: on the pond, outside in the elements and during the absolute coldest time of year," said Fred Haberman, co-founder of the tournament and president of Haberman & Associates public relations. "We hope the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships will provide the community a weekend to pay tribute to an important tradition, while bringing national attention to the purity that still exists in sport."

"The Pond is where we grew up, learned to play and made friends. The U.S. Pond Hockey Championships is an inspirational tribute to this legacy and the authentic spirit of a game so many of us enjoy," said Mike Eruzione, captain of the 1980 USA Olympic Hockey Team."

The tournament will feature 25 rinks on the West side of Lake Calhoun and a field of 128 teams competing in open, women's, and senior men's divisions - including 108 open teams, eight women's teams and 10 senior teams.

The ice site will feature 24 150-by-75 foot hockey rinks in addition to "Calhoun Gardens," a 25th and central rink, will be surrounded by bleachers and lights for night-time exhibition and notable games.

Teams will carry six players, with games being played in a four-on-four, no goalie format. Games will be two 17.5-minute halves with a two-minute intermission. Rinks will be cleared in true pond fashion — shoveled off prior to games by the two teams on deck. Official rules will be no checking, fighting or lifting the puck and goals must be scored on the attacking side of center ice.

Opening ceremonies will be held Friday night with a series of pond hockey exhibition games featuring NHL, Olympic and college Alumni facing off under the lights. After the games a musical guest will perform in the warming house tent for a night of celebration and camaraderie.

Saturday will be round-robin tournament play, with each team guaranteed three games. Sunday will feature the medal round, where the divisions will be whittled down to the top team, who will receive "The Golden Shovel."

What the Stanley Cup is to the NHL, the Golden Shovel is to the USPHC. It will be awarded to tournament winners each year, and they will be inscribed on the shovel as U.S. Pond Hockey Championship champions.

Wheaties is the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include Volvo Cars of North America, Haberman & Associates Public Relations, Ridgeway International, KARE-TV, KFAN-AM, Mall of America, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Organic Valley, Polaris, Prom Catering, Star-Tribune and Summit Brewing Company.

For more information, visit U.S. Pond Hockey.