U.S. Pond Hockey Championships

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I register my team for the 2010 U.S. Pond Hockey Championships?
Registration for the fifth-annual U.S. Pond Hockey Championships (USPHC) opens Wednesday, October 7 at 10:00 a.m. Lake Nokomis, Minnesota time (CST) at www.uspondhockey.com.

When will the 2010 U.S. Pond Hockey Championships take place?
The 2010 U.S. Pond Hockey Championships will take place January 22-24 on frozen Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. Player check-in will take place the evening of Thursday, Jan. 22.

My team is registered for the waitlist. Now what?
Well, you wait. To be quite honest, it's a rare occasion that teams withdraw. However, things happen . . . and typically a handful of teams need to withdraw - some times just days prior to the tournament due to injuries or families emergencies. Our process for filling withdrawn team spots is to contact waitlist teams via e-mail or phone as soon as team spots open up. No matter what, we hope to see you on the pond Jan. 22-24, 2010 to watch some great pond hockey. And if you'd like to be part of the action by serving as a much-needed volunteer, sign up at http://www.uspondhockey.com/participate/v_form.php.

When do players check-in?
Player check-in will be held at the Warming House Tent (at the event site) Thursday evening, January 21, from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.. If you are arriving late or from out of town, check-in will re-open from 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. on Friday, January 22. Rink Rats and Women may also check in during regular check-in times, or early Sunday morning prior to the first game.

How many games does my team get to play?
All Open, 40+, 50+ and Women's teams are guaranteed four games with the possibility of more if they make it to medal rounds. Rink Rat teams are guaranteed three games with the possibility of more if they move forward to Sunday's medal round.

How many players can each team have?
Teams in the Open, 40+ and 50+ divisions can carry four to six players. Teams in the Rink Rat and Women's division can carry four to eight players.

What is the format of this year's tournament?
All USPHC games will be played in a four-on-four, no goalie, round-robin format. Games will be two 15-minute halves with a 2-minute intermission.

What are the rules?
Please see the Official Tournament Rules in "The Tournament" section of the website.

What are the dimensions of the goals at the 2010 USPHC?
The Goal dimensions are 6' wide by 2' deep by 6" tall. Specifically, they are wooden boards forming a rectangle with two 1' openings on either end of the front of the goal. It stands as four walls with no top, or cover, and two openings on the ends of one board (front) where the puck will enter to score a goal.

How do I learn about sponsoring this event?
We’re looking for sponsors to partner with us to help fund the tournament and make it a great success. Our goal is simply to break even and keep the pond hockey tradition alive. If you're interested in becoming a USPHC sponsor, please check out our partnership guide and contact Peggy Bell at peggy@uspondhockey.com or 612.372.6463.

If one of my teammates gets injured, can I sub in a new player?
Each team can make one substitution. Substitutions must be made by 8:30 a.m. on Friday, January 22 at the Player Information Booth in the warming house tent. No other substitutions throughout the tournament are allowed. The four to six players that are on your roster at 8:30 a.m. on January 22 must be the same players that play on your team throughout the tournament. Players can only play on one team throughout the weekend.

The same substitution rules apply for players in the Rink Rat and Women's divisions, allowing for a substitution to be made the morning of Sunday, January 24.

With the cold weather, how should I dress to stay safe on the pond?
Check out our Cold Weather Tips for information about how to stay warm, avoid frostbite and protect yourself from the elements in subzero conditions.

Can spectators come out to watch the pond hockey games?
Absolutely! The U.S. Pond Hockey Championships is free and open to the public. In addition to amazing hockey action on 25 rinks, a huge heated tent will be set up where people can buy pond hockey merchandise, feast on Joe Senser's food and have a cold Summit in the Beer Garden. Please join in the fun!

How do I get to the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships?
The U.S. Pond Hockey Championships is located on the northwest side of Lake Nokomis. The address is 4955 E. Lake Nokomis Parkway. Visit http://www.uspondhockey.com/tournament/directions.php for driving directions.

Where can I park?
Visit http://www.uspondhockey.com/tournament/directions.php for parking information. Please note that parking space is limited. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.

I have a question that is not on this list, what do I do?
Call the U.S. Pond Hockey Championship Hotline (and the office of Haberman, a brand public relations firm) at 612.338.3900 or write to commissioner@uspondhockey.com.