Too many people today the thought of Lake Winnipesaukee brings to mind summer fun, baby blue skies, rich green mountains and the dark blue waters of this tranquil mountain lake. However many years ago this was not the case, Lake Winnipesaukee (or as it was known then Lake Winnipehockey) was once synonymous with pond hockey. Legend has it, many years ago in the dead of winter this area came alive. Native America tribes from all over the Northeast flocked to this great lake to stake their claim as the Pond Hockey Champions. Wars were put on hold, grudges forgotten and truces formed for one weekend out of the year. Native American folklore is filled with stories of tribes raising, and training their children to become warriors, not in battle but on the ice. It was not uncommon for tribes to save the best warriors for this annual event because winning it not only meant bragging rights for the tribe but also brought great pride and satisfaction to their villages.
As the tournament grew, the tournament Chiefs called a meeting to discuss the creation of what would become the most coveted trophy in all of sports. After hours of deliberation, the chiefs announced the decision and presented to the world for the first time - Lake Winnipehockey's Cup. The word spread from tribe to tribe and the following year hundreds of tribes from all over North American made their way to Lake Winnipesaukee for a chance to hoist this miraculous trophy.
As years passed and countless champions crowned, the tournament went on. Until one year, as the settlers from Europe began to impede on the natives land the trophy was hidden. During a battle in what is now the town of Meredith, the settlers attempted to steal this trophy for themselves. Risking his own life, a young warrior tracked down the settlers took back the trophy and buried it somewhere on Bear Island. On his way back across to main land, this young man lost his life when he fell through the ice, taking with him the whereabouts of this coveted trophy. With the trophy lost the tournament was never played again.
Countless explorations have been made to find the whereabouts of this lost relic with no success. Thought lost forever, this trophy has become folklore with many wondering if it ever existed at all. During the summer of 2009 a group of dedicated archeologists set out to finally discover the resting place of the Lake Winnipehockey's Cup. With state of the art equipment these scientists from all over the world finally located its whereabouts and unearthed the trophy in the interior of Bear Island.
After some careful restoration, Lake Winnipehockey's Cup has once again been up for claims. See the teams below who have won it in the past. Who will hoist it this year? Only time will tell!
TOURNEY CHAMPS
2023
Open Division Champs: Grassy Pond
30+ Division Champs: Bud Knights
40+ Division Champs: Eastern
50+ Division Champs: DarkStar
60+ Division Champs: Bud Heavies
Women's Division Champs: Boston Cuties
Shinny 21+ Division Champs: Predators
Shinny 35+ Division Champs: Mugs
Shinny 50+ Division Champs: Boston Whalers
Twig Division Champs: Bearded Clams
2021
Open Division Champs: Dogs III
30+ Division Champs: Hoptown Bulldogs
50+ Division Champs: Boot 3
Shinny 21+ Division Champs: The Squad
Shinny 35+ Division Champs: Mugs
Twig Division Champs: Spare Parts
2020
Open Division Champs: Young Guns
30+ Division Champs: Dirty Dekes
40+ Division Champs: The Boot 2
50+ Division Champs: The Boot 3
Women's Division Champs: The Boston Beauties
Shinny 21+ Division Champs: Bank of NH Loaners
Shinny 35+ Division Champs: Mugs
Shinny 50+ Division Champs: Johnny Cash
Twig Division Champs: Beer Thrashers
2019
Open Division Champs: Paddy's
30+ Division Champs: Stonedam Islanders
40+ Division Champs: The Boot 2
50+ Division Champs: Dark Star
Women's Division Champs: The Boston Beauties
Shinny 21+ Division Champs: Dutchmen
Shinny 35+ Division Champs: Labatt Blue NH
Shinny 50+ Division Champs: Bud Heavies
Twig Division Champs: Wheeler Boys
2018
Red Bull Open Ice Division - Ice Holes
30+ Divisions - Stonedam Islanders
40+ Division - Bumbles
50+ Division - Milton Maple Leafs
Shinny U35 Division - Team Blizzard
Shinny 35+ Division - Mugs
Twig Division - Swedish Stu
Women's Division - Boston Beauties
2017
Open Division - Dogs III
30+ -Division - Stovepipe Lumberjacks
40+ Division - Bumbles
Legends Division- Motown Mayhem
Shinny U35 Division - Predators
Shinny 35+ Division - Labatt Blue NH
Twig Division - Team Casella
Women's Division - The Boston Beauties
2016
Open Division - Bunch of Nobody's
30+ -Division - Stovepipe Lumberjacks
40+ Division - The Boot 2
Legends Division- Essex 73's
Shinny U35 Division - Milton Flyers
Shinny 35+ Division - Brass Bonanza
Twig Division - Fish Cove
Women's Division - Lady Jeff's
2015
Open Division – Dogs III
30+ Division – Wrap Solutions
40+ Division – Rhode Island Rangers
Legends Divisions– Milton Maple Leafs
Shinny U35 – Sweater Kittens
Shinny 35+ – Munny Shots
Twig - Ice Holes
Women’s Division- Happy Cows
2014
Open Division – Paddy’s
30+ Division – Frozen Hacks
40+ Division – Rhode Island Rangers
Legends Divisions– Essex 73’s
Just for Fun U35 – Broots Magoots
Just for Fun 35+ – PYLONS
Women’s Divison- Eagles
2013
Open Division – Ice Holes
30+ Division – Frozen Hacks
40+ Division – Bumbles
50+ Division – Essex 73's
Just for Fun U35 Division – Broots Magoots
Just for Fun 35+ Division – Pylons
Women’s Division – Eagles
2012
Open Division – Bauer Experience
30+ Division – Frozen Hacks
40+ Division – Bumbles
50+ Division – Bud Heavies
Just for Fun U35 Division – The Locals
Just for Fun 35+ Division – Backyard Ice
Women’s Division – Quincy Fightin’ Squirrels
2011
Open Division – Ice Holes
30+ Division – Frozen Hacks
40+ Division – RI Rangers
50+ Division – Nagog Construction
Just for Fun U35 Division – The Locals
Just for Fun 35+ Division – Hiblits
Women’s Division – Hot Dogs
2010
Open Division – Paddy’s
30+ Division – Frozen Hacks
40+ Division - Bumbles
50+ Division – Bud Heavies
Just for Fun Division – Montreal Todd