Subject line: Tournament Play Suspended/Canceled, Sunday Tent Activities: Stanley Cup Onsite
 
Pond hockey fanatics,
 
Who would’ve thought we’d be using umbrellas on Lake Nokomis in January? But the rain didn’t stop anyone from showing up Saturday. We want to thank all the players for their great spirits, amazing sportsmanship and passion for the game. You all embody the essence of pond hockey.
 
After many heartfelt discussions, we’ve decided current weather and ice conditions would make tournament play unsafe. As I write this email at 8 p.m. Saturday, it is still raining and there are 2-3 inches of standing water on our rinks. You have to see it to believe it. And it breaks my heart.
 
Open, 40+ and 50+ Divisions
We are suspending play for these three divisions. We will spend the next few days exploring options that might allow tournament play to continue. While we can’t promise we’ll make this happen, we’ll do our best.
 
Rink Rat and Women’s Divisions
All games have been canceled, but please come anyway. The tent will be open, and we have your official 2010 player hats and goody bags. Come to share pond hockey stories, watch Miracle and have a hot dog or brat with us.
 
Youth Pick-Up Event
Tomorrow’s on-ice portion of the youth pick-up event is canceled. Players are encouraged to come to the USPHC event site tomorrow afternoon to pick up their t-shirt and other items, have a free hot dog and enjoy other indoor activities, including meeting and having your picture taken with Goldy and members of the Minnesota Golden Gopher men’s hockey team.
 
Refund Policy
Teams in the Rink Rat, Women’s and Youth divisions have three options:

1. Donate your 2010 fee and be guaranteed a spot in the 2011 tournament. This tournament is a labor of love. We have never made money on this event, and if you decide to forgo your refund, our non-profit beneficiaries as well as yours truly would be incredibly grateful. Your donation would help curtail a financial loss.
2. Apply your 2010 fee to the 2011 USPHC. If organizers raise registration fees for the 2011 USPHC, 2010 teams would pay the additional cost for the 2011 tournament.
3. Request a 50% registration fee refund.

 
Stanley Cup Comes to Lake Nokomis
The good news is that the Stanley Cup – won last year by Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins – will be in the tent Sunday afternoon.
 
It won’t be cold enough to play hockey, and it won’t be warm enough to swim. But there’s still enough Pond Hockey spirit to go around.
 
We hope to see you tomorrow.
 
Fred Haberman, Commissioner
U.S. Pond Hockey Championships