SIDNEY — The Maine Pond Hockey Classic began in 2013 with 14 teams on China Lake and has quickly grown into one of Maine’s biggest winter events. Now, in its fourth year and second at Snow Pond Center for the Arts in Sidney, ME, organizers are expecting over 60 teams from February 10-12.

The tournament has secured over 35 teams from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Nova Scotia, and, of course, Maine. Guerette also pointed out that a large portion of teams register right at the January 10th deadline, teams that don’t make the deadline are placed on a wait list.

The tournament offers 6 divisions for players of different ages and abilities; including, Open “A”, Open “B”, Women’s, Recreational, 40+, and “Just for Fun.” Each division winner receives a prize pack including complimentary entry to the following year’s tournament, Championship Sweatshirts, and a very unique trophy featuring the State of Maine cut from old hockey sticks. 

Each team plays three pool play games for seeding followed by a single elimination tournament. Pond hockey is played 4-on-4 without goalies or on-ice officials, and each team is allowed to have up to 7 players on their roster.

The Maine Pond Hockey Classic is an annual fundraising tournament supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA of Greater Waterville. 

More information can be found on the tournament website at www.mainepondhockey.org. You can follow the tournament on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mainepondhockey, or on twitter @mainepondhockey.

For those looking to get involved with the MPHC, there are several volunteer opportunities available. If interested, please contact Patrick Guerette, Tournament Director, via email at [email protected].