The Pond Hockey Classic

The Pond Hockey Classic started as an idea and has quickly became so much more. Established in the fall of 2009 by recent college graduate Scott Crowder, the tournament was a vision to partner his two passions, the sport of hockey and the lakes region of NH. Crowder, grew up in a hockey family, the son of former Boston Bruin and college hockey coach Bruce Crowder, he spent much of his time between the ice rinks in the winter and the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee in the summer. Graduating with a degree in Sport Management and Marketing from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, he was confident with his education, proir knowledge of the hockey community and familiarity of the Lake Region that a big time pond hockey tournament could flourish in the area.

Planning for the first New England Pond Hockey Classic began in October of 2009, just three short months before the puck was to drop. A rudimentary website was constructed, town meetings were attended and the PHC was born. The word of a Pond Hockey tournament spread like wild fire through the hockey community of New England. By the time registration closed, the NEPHC had 77 teams signed up to compete with even more on the wait list. Not waiting to create an event he was unable to handle the event was capped and 45 teams were left on the outside looking in.

As one newspaper called the event, "An Instant Classic" the PHC had solidified itself as a top notch winter event for the Lakes Region of NH and the passionate hockey community. Doubling in size the 2011 NEPHC saw 152 compete with over 100 teams on the wait list. Seeing the success of the event in NH, Crowder quickly looked for another hockey market with cold winters to host a PHC. 2012 saw 175 teams compete in NH and an inaugural event on Lake Champlain in Colchester, VT which had 57 teams take to the ice.

Attracting participants and teams from across North American, the PHC events have quickly become some of the most sought after pond hockey tournaments out there. With the help of companies such as Labatt Blue, Bauer Hockey, Muscle Milk, MANPLOW, Earthtec and USA Hockey the PHC has been able to create a world-class product for everyone who comes out to enjoy it.

At the end of the day, the PHC is about spending a weekend playing pond hockey with your friends, sharing some laughs and of course some adult beverages. The events will grow, the faces will get older but the spirit of the events will never change. Our participants are what make our events so special, come check out the PHC and what it is all about. Help us to continue the tradition of "Bringing Hockey Back to the Basics!"