Pond Hockey makes successful return | News, Sports, Jobs

Above: A game takes place behind the Marina Lodge on Lake Sisseton in Fairmont on Saturday afternoon during the Southern Minnesota Pond Hockey Championship.

FAIRMONT – Last weekend, the Southern Minnesota Pond Hockey Championship took place behind the Marina Lodge on Lake Sisseton in Fairmont. Despite Saturday’s single-digit temperatures, people flocked to not only play, but to watch.

Kelly Artz, an organizer of the event, said this is technically the 12th year of the event but its 10th year it has been held as it has been canceled for the past two years due to Covid.

He said it was originally canceled due to a January 2020 snowstorm and was rescheduled to March 2020.

“Then the NCAA basketball tournament shut down and we followed that and the United States and just killed it.” said Artz.

When asked how long it took to prepare this time, Dave Cone, another organizer, said: “It should have taken months, but it probably took three weeks.”

He pointed out that they have hosted the tournament in the past many years ago and have a dedicated group of experienced volunteers.

“At the end of the day we didn’t know whether or not Covid was going to be another problem, so we set sail to have it and it was wonderfully successful.” said Cone.

Artz said they rely heavily on the hockey association for work schedules. They run the concession and helped with the demolition on Sunday. Many private individuals also contributed to the success of the event.

Artz said Tom O’Brien, chairman of the committee, was a major force behind this year’s event.

“He stepped up and said he would lead it. He’s a great cheerleader for all of us. Tom made it possible in 2022.” said Artz.

They also saw a great show of support after Friday’s big snowfall, which dumped almost a foot of snow on the five rinks.

Artz said there was no snow on the rinks Thursday night, but snow began falling Friday morning and didn’t let up well into the evening.

“We had volunteers. People were calling from all over town bringing snow blowers and shovels. They only showed up on Saturday morning.” he said.

In terms of turnout, 42 teams, ranging from youth to adults, took part. The teams not only came from the Fairmont area, but beyond.

“It’s really about the youth. We got Mites all the way to Bantam and then high school this year too so that was really fun. We also have adult teams.” said Cone.

Artz said there was a group of boys who were five or six years old the first year the event was held and now they are seniors and ended up winning the championship.

“They played every year for ten years,” said Artz.

The tournament was promoted each year by a Facebook page that has been shown to reach many people.

“Someone asked us what the dates are for next year. He already wants to know and said he’s bringing three teams from Minneapolis to come back down. said Artz.

The event would not be possible without the many companies that support it. Some of them are Great Plains Transportation Services, C&B Operations, Graham Tire, Olson Rentals, Profinium Financial, Sweet Financial, Rosen’s Diversified, Remax Realty and Culligan Water.

“We have so many wonderful sponsors. It is wonderful,” said Cone.

“You are there for us every year. All you have to do is ask.” said O’Brien.

While the event was held at different lakes and even indoors for a number of years due to the weather, in recent years it has been held behind the Marina Lodge. The location has proven beneficial in many ways.

“The Marina Lodge was so accommodating. Bryan Unke (owner) said this was one of their biggest weekends of the year.” said Artz.

However, the event is not just for fun. It also serves as a fundraiser for the Fairmont Youth Hockey Association. Artz said they raise about $10,000 each year from registration fees, franchise sales, and corporate sponsorships.

“Keeping costs down is the main goal. We want children to be able to play the sport without being constrained by cost.” said Cone.

An event that supports a good cause and offers a weekend of community entertainment, all rolled into one. Cone said the pond hockey tournament is truly a citywide event.

“We had people here who had never played hockey but just love the outdoors and love being a part of things. That’s really what it’s about.” said Cone.

He said he expects next year’s event to be even better.

“We want the community to participate. community affairs. It’s almost our half-time in the middle of winter. It’s been a long winter, but this is an opportunity to celebrate. Spring is next.” said Artz.

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