ST. AGATHA, Maine – The fifth annual Acadian Pond Hockey Classic, which features three-man teams competing against each other on Long Lake in St. Agatha, was a big success this year after organizers moved the date from mid-March to late February.
“It’s been absolutely excellent,” Ryan Pelletier, a committee member who handles public relations for the event, said. “We couldn’t ask for better weather. We’ve had 15 teams this year, which is more than we’ve ever had before.”
Eleven teams were in the recreational division and four were in the open division. Tournament Committee Chairman Dean Collins said earlier this month that the recreational division is less competitive and more about having fun and supporting a good cause. The open division is more competitive, and intended for people who play hockey consistently.
Cash prizes for first, second and third place in each division are, respectively, $500, $250, and $100. All teams donated their prizes back to the event in support of youth hockey programs in northern Maine and New Brunswick.
In the open division, Jessome’s Source For Sports, Happy Hour Hero’s, and P&E Distributors won first, second and third place. In the Recreational Division, Mighty Pucks, Boozer’s, and The Lumberjacks won first, second, and third place.
Proceeds from the event have always supported youth hockey programs since it was first held five years ago.
Last year’s event, which was scheduled for March 18 and 19, was canceled due to poor ice conditions and warmer weather.
This year’s event was held on Feb. 24 and 25, a change that Pelletier said they are going to try to maintain in the coming years.
“If we can keep this weekend, I think we will,” he said. “We try really hard to balance out what goes on, not only in the St. John Valley, but in Aroostook County during the winter. There’s a lot of events starting in late January going all the way to March, so we try to work hard with other committees that are holding events to make sure we’re not overlapping, and there’s something for everybody to do every weekend.”
Another major change this year is that the committee was able to purchase a zamboni, a machine that cleans and conditions ice. Pelletier said it was purchased in Massachusetts and may be the only zamboni on either side of the St. John River.
Curtis Collin of Frenchville, a player in the rec division, said he’s been to the event every year it was held, but decided to join a team for this year’s game.
“I’m a coach for the youth hockey team over here and one of the other coaches started a team, and asked me to join and I couldn’t say no because I’m also here to coach the kids this afternoon,” he said. “So it’s a two-in-one event for me.”
Collin’s team, called the Misfits, consists of five players who are either coaches or parents of youth hockey players. He said he has enjoyed hockey ever since he was a child, and that events like the Acadian Pond Hockey Classic are great for the community.
“I think it’s a big part of our community across the border,” he said, “and I think we have a lot of hockey people here. So it’s really good to bring the community out to enjoy some hockey.”
