ST. AGATHA, Maine – Seventeen teams are facing off on the ice this weekend for the 7th annual Acadian Pond Hockey Classic, an event that helps raise money for youth hockey programs in Maine and New Brunswick.
Tournament committee Chair Dean Collins said on Saturday morning that a couple teams traveled from beyond the state to participate.
“Some kids flew in from Boston yesterday, and then we got three players from Florida,” he said. “We’ve got one guy who grew up in Madawaska, and since he’s moved to Florida he brought up three guys from there. They love the area and they love playing here. They obviously loved playing in Florida, but this is totally different for them.”
He said the ice on Saturday morning was fantastic, and that a new addition this year was a 4-foot by 8-foot digital scoreboard from Pattison Signs in Edmundston, New Brunswick. The sign not only helps recognize sponsors, but also lets players track the game in real-time.
Adam Cormier of Caribou, who plays on the Madawaska-based Crown Lakes Realty team, said he’s been playing hockey since he was a kid in Grand Isle. He stopped for about 10 years, moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and then recently came back to Aroostook County and picked it back up by playing in the Presque Isle Gentleman’s Hockey League.
He said he has also been going to the Acadian Pond Hockey Classic since it started, and that he supports the cause of raising money for youth hockey programs.
“It’s good to get the kids going, and equipment is definitely expensive,” Cormier said.
Cormier’s teammate Jordan Albert said he’s been playing hockey for the past decade, and that he’s been involved in the Pond Hockey Classic for the past three or four years. He said he likes the camaraderie of hockey, the way it can bring old friends back together, and the fresh air.
Cormier said he’ll keep coming back to the annual game as long as his body allows it.
Collins said the true star player is the Zamboni they purchased last year, which resurfaces the ice and has been popular with all the players.
The event also featured music and a couple food trucks. One was Portland-based Barry Larry, who offered Asian cuisine, the other was Maine-ly Meat ‘n Potatoes. Northern Maine Brewing Company also served craft beer at the site, which was just outside the St. Agatha Town Office at Long Lake.
The event also featured a puck shot competition with a $250 cash prize, sponsored by Acadia Federal Credit Union, which is raising money to help end hunger in the region.
Collins said that the outlook is positive for the remainder of the weekend.
“The weather is beautiful,” Collins said as the weekend event began. “And I think it’s going to be a great turnout for the two-day event.”