Pond Hockey Festival on the Rock

There are few things more Canadian than spending the day playing hockey on a frozen lake and for many Sudburians the Pond Hockey Festival on the Rock (Feb 5-6-7, 2016) is a highly anticipated event. This February will mark the tournament’s eighth year and festival chair Barbara Nott hopes that this year’s tournament will be bigger than ever. “We have ten different divisions that teams can register in, including bantam, midget, high school, university, corporate and family teams”, said Nott. “So everyone’s welcome to participate and we’re hoping to have our best turnout yet”.

Every year festival organizers work hard to ensure that there is something new for participants and guests to enjoy and this year is no different. “Something new for us this year is a winter carnival on the Saturday”, said Nott. “We’re working with the city to run a variety of games and activities for kids so we encourage families to come out and spend the day with us”. Besides watching some exciting hockey, guests can look forward to a hot air balloon demonstration, ice fishing and delicious cuisine from the variety of food and drink vendors that will be on-site.

In addition to the winter fun that the weekend brings, the festival has a big impact in the community by raising money for local charities. “Every year we give back the profits that we make to deserving local charities”, said Nott. “Last year we partnered with Camp Quality and Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer and this year we’re donating to the CNIB youth program and the Meals on Wheels program for seniors”.

Since the festivals inaugural year, it’s been able to raise approximately $150,000 for charitable organizations in The City of Greater Sudbury. Nott believes that the philanthropic aspect of the festival has always been an important “We really believe that we need to give back to the community and we’ve always felt that it is an important part of the festival”.

If you’d like to find out more about the Pond Hockey Festival on the Rock please visit www.pondhockeyontherock.ca

Tournament Format and Rules

• Games will be held on Friday night and Saturday with the playoffs on Sunday.
• All games are 30 minutes in length with three (3) 10-minute periods each with a one (1)-minute intermission between periods.
• A team shall consist of no more than three (3) players on the ice at any one time, plus one goalie, while play is in progress.
• Each team shall consist of a maximum of ten (10) players including the goalie.
• The Corporate Division and Recreational Co-Ed Division teams must have at least three women and/or men listed on the team roster. At least ONE female player must be on the ice at all times.

Click here to see a complete listing of 2016 tournament rules

If you are interested in registering a team please visit http://www.pondhockeyontherock.ca/teams.html for more information.

Deadline to register a team is January 20, 2016.