Hay River’s Polar Pond Hockey returns March 20-22

There probably aren’t many pond hockey tournaments that need four Zambonis. When you’re serious about making good ice, you do what you need to do.

“We’ve had more, actually,” said Terry Rowe, an organizer of Hay River’s Polar Pond Hockey. “We get them from different communities. I think we have an old one from Délı̨nę.”

This year’s annual pond hockey tournament runs March 20-22, when teams of four to six players will hit the many rinks built up and down the Hay River to play non-competitive shinny.

Teams in the women’s, open and seniors’ division each play around six to seven 20-minute games over the weekend. There are no referees and no goalies. Everyone makes the playoffs, where you have the chance to win bragging rights.

Some years, more than 35 teams turn up. But first, there’s a lot of work to be done.

Rowe estimated close to 100 people – and far more hours – go into pulling off the tournament each March.

“We build about eight to 10 rinks on the mouth of the Great Slave Lake,” Rowe said.

A maintenance crew clears the ice and builds the rinks, a process that can take up to two weeks.

“We have to shape them, then we have to scrape them, and then we have to start doing hot floods … so it’s a big chunk of work that goes into it, but it’s definitely always worth it. We have a great crew,” Rowe said.

“Throughout the event, of course, we’re always doing hot floods … so you got a fresh sheet of ice. It’s natural ice, and you’re on a river, so there’s sometimes some pretty big cracks and you’ve got to look out for those. But it’s also a pretty cool experience, and sometimes pretty cool views to see the ice in that way.”

On Friday night, after every team has played at least one game, the nearby Fisherman’s Wharf pavilion stays open for live music and dancing.

Players get in for free. Tickets are available at the door for everyone else.

“We fill that thing up on Friday night,” said Rowe.

“It’s definitely a highlight of the weekend, especially for the non-hockey players, so it’s a great time for sure. It’s probably one of the biggest and best events of the year.”

Volunteers help run the bar and act as designated drivers to help everyone get home safely.

During the days, the pavilion acts as a family-friendly warm-up space with beer gardens and food vendors.

An art market – the Ice Market – is expected to run on the Saturday afternoon, where local artisans, bakers and other vendors will sell their wares. Rowe said to watch Polar Pond Hockey’s social media for information on how to sign up to sell.

Registration for the tournament itself will close a few days before everything kicks off.

“It’s just a big hockey tournament that’s all for fun. It’s for all skill levels, and it’s just a blast of a time. And if you haven’t been, I highly recommend checking it out,” said Rowe.

“We’ve seen teams from Vancouver, Alberta and Yellowknife. A team from Iqaluit has come many, many years in a row. So we’re always looking for more ways to accept other communities and more teams.

“If you haven’t come out, we welcome you to Hay River.”