Pond Hockey Tournament Registration Exceeds Expectations

When organizers for the inaugural began planning for the outdoor tournament, they were hoping for 48 teams which would be a "huge success."

As the registration deadline approached last Sunday, the number of teams exploded like a classic Steve Yzerman slapshot and organizers had to cut off the number of teams at 61. And there is a 14-team waiting list.

"The demand is there. Now hopefully we can get some nice weather and some ice," said Shawn Nicholson, vice president of the St. Clair Shores Hockey Association, at a recent city council meeting. "It will be a good time, good fun, winter weekend in the Shores."

Nicholson appeared before city council Monday to request the Hockey Association be recognized as a non-profit organization to obtain a Charitable Gaming License to sell raffle tickets during the tournament for a grand prize of a suite, tickets and parking passes for a Red Wings game.

Council approved the request for the raffle, which will benefit St. Clair Shores Parks and Recreation. Tickets will be sold during the tournament.

"This is a brilliant way to do something in the winter," said city councilman Ron Frederick.

The tournament will be held Jan. 20-22 in the canals adjacent to , which will also be the location for locker rooms for the players.

In addition to having the chance to go to Joe Louis Arena for a game, former Detroit Red Wings player and member of the Grind Line, Kirk Maltby, will be the grand marshal of the event.

The outdoor tournament will be for players 21-years-old and older will be played on 150-feet by 75-feet rinks that will be created on the canals adjacent to Brownies. Each team will have at least three games, including some night games under temporary lights, with semifinals and championships on Sunday.  

There will be no checking in the 4-on-4 tournament, and teams must have matching jerseys for the 40-minute games. No goalie equipment is permitted, and if a puck goes out of bounds, the last team to touch it loses possession. Also, there will be no lifting of pucks as players shoot on goals.

"We have been trying to hard to a have a winter festival here in St. Clair Shores," said Donna Flaherty, president of the Nautical Mile Merchants Association. "(The tournament) is going to bring people to the area and the city."

While the registration is closed for teams, volunteers are still needed. Marianne Beach-Langlois, Administrator, Department of Family Medicine at , is coordinating the volunteer effort. Those intested in helping with the tournament can email emailing scspondhockey@yahoo.com or call (313) 732-1305.