The USPHC were blessed by the hockey gods with average tournament temperatures below zero. To most these temperatures would be a good reason settle up on the sofa with some comfort food, but that wasn't the case for 253 teams battling it out to grace themselves on the Golden Shovel or Silver Scoop. The temperature didn't slow the media coverage down either as over 638 stories were written about Minnesota's own event.
When the ice shavings settled and the bruises were account for the USPHC had champions in “Wright Home's Almost 40,” “Seasoned Skaters,” “Spirit of '78,” and “The Chiefs.” An exhibition game including Tom Chorske, Brad Bombardir, Darby Hendrickson, Gordie Roberts, Chris McAlpine, Garrett Smaagaard, Jake Fleming, Erik Wendell, Dan Woog and Brian Lawton prompted fans to cheer on these hockey heroes.
It is well known in pond hockey lore that he who possesses the shovel possesses ultimate power over the game--without it the game is lost underneath layers of snow. Open Division teams compete to have their team name inscribed on a piece of pond hockey history: the Golden Shovel, while Rink Rat Division teams play to have their name etched into the Silver Scoop.
The Bill Wood MVP Sweater is awarded to the player who most embodies what it means to play pond hockey: teamwork, effort, skill and sportsmanship. The sweater memorializes Bill Wood, a true pond hockey legend. "Woody" was a pond hockey fixture whose skills on the ice were only overshadowed by his warm and generous personality.
Player | State |
---|---|
Dave Shute | Minnesota |
Justin Brown | Minnesota |
Dave Bakken | Minnesota |
Dan Goff | Minnesota |
Curt Wright | Minnesota |
Ryan Gallitin | Minnesota |
Player | State |
---|---|
Matt Elsen | Minnesota |
Tim Olson | Minnesota |
Nick Hanrahan | Minnesota |
Dan Ibrahim | Minnesota |
Jamison Steinert | Minnesota |
Player | State |
---|---|
John Benziger | Minnesota |
Tom Bergman | Minnesota |
Andy Kannenberg | Minnesota |
Bill Tresham | Illinois |
John VanSiclen | Minnesota |
Frank Techar | Toronto |
Player | State |
---|---|
Len Lilyholm | Minnesota |
Mike Powers | Minnesota |
Tom Younghans | Minnesota |
Mike Knoke | Minnesota |
Roger Moy | Minnesota |
Larry Herrboldt | Minnesota |
Player | State |
---|---|
Nick Brooke | Minnesota |
Grant Whitney | Minnesota |
Joshua Bobich | Minnesota |
Ryan Spencer | Washington |
Michael Mullins | Iowa |
Peter Johnson | Minnesota |
Keith Wolter | Minnesota |
Player | State |
---|---|
Matt Zurbey | Minnesota |
Ryan Johnsen | Minnesota |
Jeremy Stewart | Minnesota |
Pat Geiser | Minnesota |
Bo Munger | Minnesota |
Dan Score | Minnesota |
Jon Zurbey | Minnesota |
Player | State |
---|---|
Jessica Warden | Minnesota |
Kathy Cordes | Minnesota |
Jean Daavettila | Minnesota |
Sue Ring-Jarvi | Minnesota |
Kyleen Stevens | Minnesota |
Nina Novitzki | Minnesota |
Player | State |
---|---|
Sarma Pone | Minnesota |
Regina Buchika | Minnesota |
Lindsay Wild | Minnesota |
Tonya Allen | Minnesota |
Kris Wilke | Minnesota |
Sarah Master | Minnesota |