U.S. Pond Hockey Championships

Frequently Asked Questions

When does registration for the 2009 U.S. Pond Hockey Championships open? Registration details for the 2009 USPHC will be announced this summer. Please check back to www.uspondhockey.com for details, and be sure to sign up to keep informed and receive pond hockey updates via email.

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.

How do I know when teams play?
Click here to find your team's schedule.

When do players check-in?
Tournament check-in will be held at USPHC's host hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott Minneapolis/Bloomington (7800 Bloomington Avenue South in Bloomington) in the Hiawatha Room from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. next Thursday, January 17. If you are arriving late or from out of town, check-in will re-open in the Warming House Tent (at the tournament site) from 7:00 a.m. — 8:30 a.m. on Friday, January 18. Rink Rats may also check in during regular check-in times, or Sunday morning between 7:30-9:00 a.m. prior to their first game.

One of my teammates just got 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 18 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 18 must be the same players that play on your team throughout the tournament. Players can only play on one team throughout the weekend.

Where can I view photos of the 2007 U.S. Pond Hockey Championships?
Visit http://www.habermaninc.com/service/PlayerPack.zip or select Image Downloads from the main menu toolbar to view photos of this year's tournament.

How many games does my team get to play?
All Open, Senior and Women's teams are guaranteed at least four games (two Friday, two Saturday) with the possibility of more if they make it to Sunday's medal round. Rink Rat teams are guaranteed three games (all Sunday) with the possibility of more if they move forward to Sunday's medal round.

What are the dimensions of the goals at the 2008 USPHC?
The Goal dimensions are 6' wide by 2' long 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 many players can each team have?
Teams in the Open, Women's and Senior Men's divisions can carry four to six players. Teams in the Rink Rat 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 (Rink Rat format is subject to change). 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. I want to sponsor this event.

I Want to sponsor this event. Who do I get in touch with?
Claudine Galloway, claudine@uspondhockey.com or 612.372.6455.

What if not our whole team is over 50? Can we still play in the senior division?
All members on a senior (50+) team must be at least 50 years old by January 1st, 2008.

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 & Associates) at 612.338.3900 or write to commissioner@uspondhockey.com.