Black Ice Pond Hockey Tournament is (almost definitely) happening
The recent cold means the annual Black Ice Pond Hockey Tournament will likely take place as scheduled this weekend, with youth games kicking things off on Thursday, Jan. 27, and plenty of other games on the roster — along with concessions, family activities, public skating and fireworks — through Sunday, Jan. 30.
“In recent years we’ve been challenged by global warming,” said Dan Luker, Black Ice Pond Hockey Association Board president. “We hope for below-zero temps at night, and a perfect day for us is 20 degrees during the day.”
The weekend is a tribute to the capital city’s place in hockey history. Luker said the first organized hockey game in the U.S. took place at St. Paul’s School in Concord, and the games being played at the tournament harken back to that old-school style.
“It’s the way the game was played to begin with — no refs, no goalies, 4 on 4,” Luker said. “It’s all about just skating and moving the puck. It’s a different feel.”
The tournament started 11 years ago, when Capital City Hockey League retirees decided they wanted to keep the game alive, for themselves and for younger generations.
“We all grew up playing hockey in the rinks, in the open air,” Luker said. “It brings you back.”
As the years have gone on, the Black Ice Pond Hockey Association has tried to reinvigorate the board by encouraging younger people to join. And the tournament has gone from all adult games to having a full night of youth hockey.
“Part of the goal is to infect [younger players] with the outdoor enthusiasm,” he said. “We’re psyched to have the kids play … [and] the kids love to be a part of it.”
Luker said there will be about 80 adult teams with more than 500 players taking the ice, which includes women’s teams and rec league teams, competitive players and players whose good skating days are well behind them.
“There are people who shouldn’t be skating out there who are having a blast,” Luker said.
Along with the games, there will be open skating time, concessions, a warming tent and family games throughout the weekend, and Friday night will feature fireworks.
“It’s the middle of winter, and there’s not much else going on in Concord,” Luker said. “People drift down and come and watch. … [It’s] something to do on a Saturday afternoon.”
Black Ice Pond Hockey Tournament
Where: White Park, Concord
When: Thursday, Jan. 27, through Sunday, Jan. 20
Schedule of events
Thursday
Heated spectator tent with family games and concessions open from 5 to 8 p.m.
Youth pond hockey games with Concord Capitals, NE Wildcats, NH Avalanche, NH Junior Monarchs from 6 to 8 p.m.
Friday
Concessions open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Black Ice Pond Hockey games from 9 a.m. to 8:20 p.m.
Heated spectator tent with family games from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Public skate on White Park Pond Rinks & RBC Rinks 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ice sculpture at noon
Bonfires start at 5 p.m.
Concord Youth Hockey from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Dynomites & NH JR Monarchs practice on White Park Pond Rinks & RBC Rinks at 7:15 p.m.
Atlas Fireworks show
Saturday
Concessions open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Black Ice Pond Hockey games from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Heated Spectator Tent open with family interactive games from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Youth Hockey Shinny Tournament on White Park Pond Rinks & RBC Rinks 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Concord Area Transit Shuttle Bus Winterfest Shuttle runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Bonfires start at 3 p.m.
Sunday
Concessions open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Black Ice Pond Hockey games from 9 a.m. to noon
Featured photo: Photo courtesy of Black Ice Pond Hockey Association.