The World Pond Hockey Championship Makes a Return in New Brunswick
This post is sponsored by Destination New Brunswick but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
When the idea for the World Pond Hockey Championship was first conceived, Danny Braun had no expectations that the event would lead to world-wide interest and more than 120 teams involved.
“We started it actually back in 2002 as a fundraising event. I guess the irony of that is we have adults playing outside so we could build a new rink for the community. We started back in that time with 40 teams basically. I think 38 of them were from New Brunswick, relatively close by.”
What started out as a way to bring the community together eventually became a worldwide event, attracting pond hockey teams from as far as Egypt, the Cayman Islands, and 15 US states. As it has been every year except for the past two due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Pond Hockey Championship will be held in Plaster Rock from February 16th to the 19th in 2023.
The interest in the activity has come as a surprise to Braun, who has been involved in the event since its inception. It seemed like the small town of Plaster Rock would be an unlikely location to host so many global visitors, but as the interest grew, so did the number of teams and attendees involved.
Despite the shock of finding so many people who were willing to make the pilgrimage to a remote location in New Brunswick, Braun and other officials for the event recognized that the spot they chose was ideal for athletes and visitors alike.
“It looks like you’re out in the middle of the woods somewhere. Probably mimics the scene of many of these participants’ childhood from the standpoint they’re out on a little pond somewhere. But yet we’re only 150 yards away from a hotel and restaurants and things of that nature that are just beyond where you can see this kind of thing,” Braun mentions.
While the scenery is a big part of the draw for those participating in the event, those who call Plaster Rock home make an active effort to volunteer and create the atmosphere behind the scenes. Braun estimates that in a town with a population of 1,000, 200 of the locals give their time to volunteer in order to make the event happen. Even the kids get in on the event and mock Olympic opening ceremonies, while teams visit local classrooms and help serve breakfasts.
It has become a truly community-based event that Braun is thrilled to have back after a long hiatus due to Covid-19. In 2023, the championship will be back with a bang and will include a heated pavilion where spectators can warm up after viewing a game or two. Braun expects that there will be up to 20 pond hockey games occurring simultaneously, so those attending will never run out of options when it comes to matches. Musical entertainment and food and drinks are also served.
Attendees should also expect a communal feeling when they arrive in Plaster Rock, and Braun is always amazed by how the World Pond Hockey Championship has brought people together–even those who you might not expect would find a connection with one another.
“You never know if someone is a doctor or a lawyer or just a student for that matter. They’re all the same when they get inside the tent.”
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