Shrewsbury, MA – Shrewsbury Youth Hockey Association held its first annual Pond Hockey Classic (PHC) on February 6th, 2016. The goal was to get players to experience hockey “in its purest form” with an old-fashioned round of outdoor games.  Unfortunately, the mild winter temperatures meant the ice at Dean Park in Shrewsbury was not safe for skating for the event, but thanks to the efforts of FMC Ice Sports staff at Buffone Arena in Worcester, the fun was easily transferred indoors and a great time was had by all.

“What an event! Despite our initial disappointment over having to move our Pond Hockey Classic indoors, the players and families had an amazing time,” said John Gaston, Tournament Director and President of the Shrewsbury Youth Hockey Association (SYHA).

Games were played simultaneously across four rinks laid out on the ice at Buffone. Registration for the PHC was full well in advance of the event with 24 teams participating. More than 250 kids between ages 5 and 12 were on the ice for the PHC and players from Shrewsbury Youth Hockey, as well neighboring programs, were represented, including the Worcester Crusaders, Jr. Sharks, NCMYH (North Central Mass Youth Hockey), Grafton, and the Minutemen Flames.

“It was really a tremendous event,” Buffone Arena manager Nick Pennucci said. “The arena was full of people, almost to capacity, and the activity was exciting. We were so happy to be able to step
in and host it, thanks in large part to our regular groups willing to be so flexible in rescheduling their ice time.”

SYHA saw an incredible outpouring from volunteers who stepped forward to help organization plan and execute the event.  The league had more than 100 personal volunteers across planning, coaching, ice preparation, scorekeeping, set-up and cleaning, event day coordination and even ‘puck chasers’ to chase down pucks during games. Company sponsors also helped out by offering supplies and services and four local companies sponsored each of the four rinks. The games were played on the Columbia Tech Rink, Mancuso Nowak Insurance Rink, Prospect Mortgage Rink and the Wicked Good Cookies Rink.

“The rink had a palpable energy,” said Gaston. “The hockey was exciting, fast paced and played for the enjoyment of the game. Just as we had hoped.”