Bill e-mails to alert us to the announcement of the first ever U.S. Pond Hockey Championships:
Minnesota hockey fanatics are hoping Mother Nature will send a cold blast their way in January so they can pull off the inaugural U.S. Pond Hockey Championships.
On a balmy fall morning Tuesday, two hockey-playing Minnesota governors - one current and one past - were on hand as organizers described the three-day event set for Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis.
It's being billed as America's largest outdoor pond hockey tournament.
"While we all enjoy the pristine venues of professional, high school and college hockey these days, there's something to be said for the elements, the unnatural, the unpredictable and irregular pattern of pond hockey," said Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who was flanked by former Gov. Wendell Anderson, a member of the 1956 Olympic team that won the silver medal.
The tournament, set for Jan. 20-22, will feature up to 96 men's and women's teams of four people each. They'll play on 24 rinks shoveled off prior to the games by the two teams on deck.
Winners of three divisions will have their names etched on a giant golden shovel.
No word on whether they considered calling it the "Ralphie Classic" after the state's dishonorary hockey commissioner. If you want more information on the event you can check out the official site. I definitely plan on lacing 'em up for this baby. It could be interesting if the guy who claims to enjoy chasing people around with his big stick finds a team to play on as well.
Just the latest example that demonstrates that Minnesota is indeed the State of Hockey.
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