As part of Third Assist's "Ultimate Pond Hockey Resource" we've reached out to the best pond hockey tournaments taking place this winter in the United States. We want to know where they're at, what makes them unique, and why we should visit this upcoming winter. Safe to say we're sold on the following tournaments.

Michigan Pond Hockey Classic

Location of Tournament:
Whitmore Lake, Michigan

Time of Year: 
February 8-10, 2019

Ages Welcomed to Play:
Adults 18+

Size of the Tournament: 
8 divisions, typically about 100-110 teams, approximately 950 players

Special Entertainment:
Live band Friday and Saturday, and one HUGE Beer tent.

Any Special Vendors?
Lots of vendors for the facilities, and the onsite presence is mostly sponsors.

What Sets This Tournament Apart:
The tournament is the primary fundraiser for the Michigan Pond Hockey Sports Charities, which provides financial assistance to promote and encourage participation in youth athletic programs. Our tournament provides a three day, festival like atmosphere in the heart of Michigan, and brings people out of their winter hibernation. The event features 24 rinks carved out on beautiful Whitmore Lake.

Third Assist's Take: 
As you may have seen already, there are pond hockey events of all scales and sizes taking place this winter. You can go to a tournament on a national circuit sponsored by large corps, or you can find a local tournament which is lightly advertised and only grabs players within a 20 mile radius. What we like about the Michigan Pond Hockey Classic is that it's the best mix of both. It's an established, well-run tournament with entertainment to last the full weekend, but it still represents the Wolverine state well. This one has been on our radar for years, so we'd be all in to register for a weekend here.

Where to Learn More About This Tournament: 
www.facebook.com/michiganpondhockeyclassic

*All photos used by permission from tournament