ST. AGATHA, Maine — The sixth annual Acadian Pond Hockey Classic is coming later this month, continuing a new trend started by last year’s event, which was moved from mid-March to late February.
The move came after the 2023 event, set for mid-March, was canceled due to unseasonably warm weather. The hockey tournament was then moved to late February last year to ensure that the weather conditions were ideal and the ice was solid.
Tournament Committee Chair Dean Collins said the move will likely be permanent, as the ice conditions can be hit or miss in mid-March.
“That proved to be a great decision on our end last year, so it will be the third week of February moving forward,’ he said.
This year’s event is set for the weekend of Feb. 22 and 23 outside the St. Agatha town office on 419 Main St. The three-on-three pond hockey tournament will feature both open and rec divisions.
The event brings in both local competitors as well as players from across the border in New Brunswick. Proceeds from the tournament will also benefit youth hockey programs in both Maine and New Brunswick.
Collins said the open division is more competitive, intended for people who consistently play hockey, while the recreational division is more about having fun and supporting the event.
For the open division, first prize is $500, second is $300 and third is $125. And for the rec division, these prizes are $200, $150 and $125 for first, second and third place, respectively.
And for those who may not want to get on the ice and play hockey, the event is also set to feature concessions and a beer garden.
Last year’s event featured food from Barry Larry’s, a food truck based in Portland that serves Korean-Hawaiian fusion dishes. Collins said Barry Larry will return this year, along with the Caribou-based Munchies food truck which offers a variety of foods, and Madawaska-based Gotta Coffee, which sells an assortment of unique beverages.
There will be a heated tent with merchandise and concessions, including nutritional drinks offered by Madawaska-based Up North Nutrition. A DJ will also be on site and providing music.
While the event has not been around as long as the Can-Am sled dog race or the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby, Collins said it is gaining momentum and getting bigger each year.
“I feel that we’re still in the infancy stage compared to other events in the area,” he said, “but it’s gaining more and more attention every year.”
Anyone interested in learning more or obtaining a registration form can do so via the official event website at acadianondhockey.com or by calling Collins directly at (207) 316-8799.
