More than a thousand hockey players are expected to converge on Buffalo's Erie Basin Marina next February for the Labatt Blue Buffalo Pond Hockey Tournament. The fifth annual Labatt Blue Buffalo Pond Hockey Tournament will be held February 10th through the 12th and will feature more teams (144 of them, with maximum rosters of seven players, an increase of one player per team since the previous tournament). Some of the games will be played at night, under lights.
In all, it's an environment officials say will make for a great wintertime attraction.
"It really helps to showcase Downtown Buffalo and all the development that has taken place downtown," said mayor Byron Brown. "It showcases all of the wonderful stores and restaurants and hotels that downtown has to offer."
More than 1,000 players are expected to participate. While Labatt USA hosts pond hockey tournaments elsewhere, hosting a tournament on a frozen Lake Erie, officials say, makes this event a uniquely Buffalo experience.
"The tournament sells out very quickly, so we definitely don't encourage sitting back and thinking 'I'll get in.'," said Brett Carlsen, associate brand manager for Labatt Blue. "It's sold out every year. We're fortunate. We know we're in a great hockey community. We could probably increase this to 200 teams if resources allowed us to, because the interest out there definitely exists for this tournament."
Resources are what the City of Buffalo will provide, including maintenance and security. Mayor Brown says even a police diver team will be on standby for the worst case scenario. Crews will be out by mid-January monitoring the ice to ensure it's in good shape for the tournament.
While the city's public works commissioner wouldn't be faulted for desiring a calm winter season in terms of streets maintenance, this project is one to which he looks forward.
"It's being youthful again," said public works commissioner Steve Stepniak. "Remember those days getting out there and shoveling the pond and getting out there and playing? It's fun to watch for spectators, it really is. It's a passion, and it's more about enjoying the elements."
144 teams will participate, with each team carrying a maximum of seven players. A handful of spaces are already reserved for teams that are coming by way of winning tournaments elsewhere. The majority of spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis beginning Sunday, November 27.
Interested teams can learn more by visiting the tournament's official website at http://www.labattbluepondhockey.com.
