Hockey: The Best Game Ever Invented!

Hockey is a very large part of many New Brunswick families. Our long cold winters make it a favorite winter pass-time for many children and parents alike. It would seem that you are either a fanatic of the game or you have an extreme dislike of it. Most are fanatics and my household is

When I was growing up, we never watched sports on T.V. In fact, if hockey was on, it just meant you needed to find something else to do that night. My how things have changed!!!

Now I am a hockey mom! And a very proud one at that!!! Hockey rules our life in the winter and spring and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I used to hate the cold rinks and the smell of sweat, but with lots of good warm clothing and a good washing of the stinky equipment once in a while, I have come to enjoy watching it immensely.

We have discovered that some of the local rinks can be quite difficult to find. Sometimes they are tucked away behind other buildings. I have found this great site that gives detailed Arena Map Directions to rinks in every Canadian Province and every US State.

New Brunswick has been made famous for Pond Hockey. The World Pond Hockey Championships are held every year in the small rural village of Plaster Rock as a fundraiser for arena facilities for the people of Tobique River Valley.

The annual February event first started in 2002 with 40 local teams competing and has grown to feature well over 100 teams worldwide with 40 teams playing simultaneously. The event not only attracts hockey enthusiasts from around the globe but also attracts somewhere in the range of 30,000 spectators and distinguished media personnel. Check this out, this four-day event now has a new Ladies division.

The World Pond Hockey Championships are more of a friendly scrimmage rather than serious play. It is more about having fun, making memories, trading jerseys and telling old stories. Evening games on natural ice under the lights evoke memories of how the game was played many years ago. Roulston Lake is the venue for the games in Plaster Rock and over 200 dedicated volunteers are critical to the success of this event.

New Brunswick Pure Hockey, let the fun begin! See you in Plaster Rock!

Here is the official website of The World Pond Hockey Championships if you would like more detailed information.

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