City January 3, 2011 4:46 PM

Labatt Blue Pond Hockey Tournament SOLD OUT!!

Labatt Blue Pond Hockey Tournament SOLD OUT!!
Organizers of the fourth annual Labatt Blue Buffalo Pond Hockey Tournament announced that registration for the tournament has officially sold out.

By giving teams advanced notice and planning time to organize and prepare for registration, the tournament sold out in less than 24 hours.  Registration was completed based on a first-come, first-serve format and 124 teams have already grabbed the available slots.  The participants range in experience level from beginners to advanced.

"This year, we gave teams more than a two-week heads up between announcing the Labatt Blue Buffalo Pond Hockey Tournament dates and when registration would open on January 1," said Brett Carlsen, Labatt Blue associate brand manager. "We've received positive feedback from the players and teams on the new process... and we're thrilled to once again have a sold out tournament."

Those who would still like to try to get in can add their team to the waiting list by emailing tournament director Ed Ellis at ed@labattbluepondhockey.com. Teams must be comprised of 4-6 players who are 21 years of age or older.  Games will be played four-on-four, absent a goalie.  The tournament will be run in a round robin format, with sixteen divisions.  The winner of each division will go on to play in the championship rounds.

The tournament is slated to take place on Friday, February 11 through Sunday, February 13, subject to weather conditions. For more information about the tournament, visit www.labattbluepondhockey.com or become a fan of the Facebook page, which will offer weather updates, game schedules, and more.
View image

Comments

Leave a comment

Can't wait, this and the Powder Keg are so cool.

I do hope they straighten out the registration process, I have a friend that told me when he tried registering it was sold out after 15 minutes. Not sure if it was other technical difficulties or what but they should expand it if that many teams are joining.

Score: 0 ( 2 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment

Expand it to what...? 250 teams? Maybe start the tournament in mid-January and end it around April? It's a hot tournament, not much you can do. They already have feeder tournaments. Perhaps have open registration so we can have 300+ teams so the rinks go halfway to Cleveland and are torn to shreds. Stick to spectating, JM.

BTW they already expanded it to 124 teams.

replied to JM
Score: 0 ( 2 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment

Why not? Why limit participation? Let it grow as big as it wants to be. Why limit it to 1 weekend? it's obviously very popular. Make it a Series Events with Championships during Powder Keg.


replied to LouisTully
Score: 0 ( 0 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment

It's already a series of several tournaments. There are feeder tourneys that lead into this. One of the reasons a school like Harvard is so highly regarded is because it doesn't just let anyone in. I'm fairly certain the National Pond tourney in Minnesota doesn't have an open registration. The event is growing. No need to push it too far too fast.

replied to JM
Score: 1 ( 1 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment

It was first come first serve.

replied to LouisTully
Score: 0 ( 0 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment

The one in Minneapolis has 250 teams and has since it started 6 years ago. They also have Senior, Kids and a Women's Division.

This is the type of thing I'd like to see, I guess since it's sponsored by a Beer Company you can't have the Kids play which sort of defeats the spirit of the event.

replied to LouisTully
Score: 0 ( 0 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment

I can't find it on their website - what are the rink dimensions?

Score: 0 ( 0 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment

Players will skate on 10 man-made rinks, each 150’ long x 75’ deep, constructed using water, shovels, small plows and hay barrels.

replied to townline
Score: 1 ( 1 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment

Thanks!

replied to JM
Score: 0 ( 0 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment

Leave a comment

Buffalo Rising Poll