3rd Annual Pond Hockey Classic Coming to Meredith, with a Twist!

NEPHC 2011

The event of the season has quickly earned a reputation for providing players and fans alike with a traditional, nostalgic, and truly competitive pond hockey experience. The first two years saw quaint Meredith Village on Lake Winnipesaukee bustling with activity as hockey lovers from all over New England and beyond converged on this normally quiet winter wonderland. This year will be bigger and better than ever—even though the event will be held on a different lake—and will be the focus of attention from a national organization documenting the environmentally sustainable practices of the sport.

The New England Pond Hockey Classic will still take place in Meredith, NH February 3^rd – 5^th, 2012, but while the games were scheduled to take place on Lake Winnipesaukee again this year, the warm winter has prevented Meredith Bay from freezing to a safe enough level to accommodate the expected crowds. The organizers have now officially decided to move the event to nearby Lake Waukewan, just a quarter-mile away on the other side of Meredith.

“We’ve had our crews over at Lake Waukewan clearing rinks the last couple of days,” says Scott Crowder, Founder of the Pond Hockey Classic. “It’s warm, so the snow is turning into slush and it’s a lot heavier for us to move.”

The only major difference the location will make is in parking. “It’s a much smaller lake and there isn’t very good access to it, so we actually have to transport all of our participants and spectators in to the event,” says Scott. “They’re going to have to park in auxiliary parking lots and we’re going to transport them over with shuttles.” In addition, Lake Wakewan is the town’s water supply, and there are a few rules and regulations that come into effect. Many of the amenities that were available on the ice last year will be on land in Tournament Village, across the street from the water’s edge. Otherwise, the tournament will take place as planned with many fun events throughout the weekend.

One of those events is a fundraiser on Friday night at Church Landing for Restore Hockey, a non-profit organization that takes used hockey equipment and refurbishes it for kids to reuse. As Scott says, “All this stuff that would normally end up in a landfill is ending up on the ice.” The work Restore Hockey does is vital to children whose families can’t afford new hockey equipment every year. The fundraiser will feature the world release of a National Geographic documentary that has been in process over the past year. When it’s finished, this film will highlight the green measures now being employed by the NHL and its players. The crew will be on hand for the weekend to take footage of the tournament as well, rounding out the scope of NHL Green and its participation with Restore Hockey. As a special guest, the Stanley Cup will make an appearance at the fundraiser!

Also new this year at the NEPHC is a Thursday night player check-in and Labatt Welcome Party at Lago, and a skills competition sponsored by NH-based Bauer Hockey, one of the biggest hockey retailers in the world. Earthtec will once again provide the apparel for the event. This eco-friendly company is based in Portsmouth, NH and manufactures clothing and accessories from recycled bottles, organic cotton, and natural wool.

Although the tournament is full with over 180 teams and about 1200 players this year, there is still room for spectators to enjoy the event—and it’s free! For more information and details on parking, please visit the Pond Hockey Classic website here. Hope to see you in Meredith!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Photo courtesy of New England Pond Hockey Classic