Program Overview

American Pond Hockey Classic
Minocqua, Wisconsin

The American Pond Hockey Classic brings pond hockey back to where it belongs — outside, on natural ice, in the heart of Wisconsin's Northwoods.

Teams compete throughout the weekend in a classic pond hockey format featuring multiple divisions designed for different ages and levels of play.

Event: American Pond Hockey Classic
Location: Minocqua, Wisconsin
Format: 4-on-4 Pond Hockey
Registration: Team-based registration
Divisions: Multiple competitive, recreational and age-based divisions
Experience: Outdoor hockey, natural ice, competition and Northwoods camaraderie

Program Description

The American Pond Hockey Classic is a celebration of hockey in its purest form.

Set against the backdrop of Wisconsin's Northwoods, teams from across the region and beyond come together for a weekend of outdoor hockey, competition and camaraderie.

Games are played 4-on-4 without goalies on outdoor pond hockey rinks. Teams compete in pool play with advancement opportunities based on their division and tournament format.

Whether you're chasing a championship or gathering the crew for a weekend on the ice, the American Pond Hockey Classic is built around what makes pond hockey special — cold air, open ice, good friends and the game itself.

Hockey the Way Nature Intended.

Program Detail

Date: January 22-24, 2027
Venue: Minocqua, Wisconsin
Team Fee: $1,200 per team, including a $300 non-refundable registration deposit.

Tournament Format: The American Pond Hockey Classic is a 4 vs. 4 round-robin pond hockey tournament played outdoors on natural ice.

Games consist of two 15-minute halves with a 2-minute break between halves.

Teams compete in preliminary round-robin games throughout tournament weekend, with playoff and championship rounds for teams that qualify.

All divisions allow a minimum roster size of 4 players and a maximum roster size of 8 players.

The maximum number of players per team is eight, with no exceptions. This roster limit is maintained to preserve the integrity of the event, including the role that endurance and fatigue play throughout each game and tournament weekend.

Registration

Registration is completed on a team basis by the team's designated captain.

The captain is responsible for:

• Completing the team registration
• Selecting the appropriate division
• Submitting full payment
• Providing an accurate team roster
• Ensuring all players complete required registration information and waivers

Registration is not complete until the team fee has been paid in full and the team's entry has been confirmed.

Divisions

Teams should register for the division that most accurately reflects the age and playing ability of their roster. View Divisions - Click Here

Pond Hockey Classic reserves the right to review team placement and adjust divisions when necessary to protect competitive balance and the integrity of the tournament.

Rosters & Player Eligibility

All players must meet the eligibility requirements of their registered division.

Players must be properly registered and may be required to provide identification verifying age or eligibility.

A player may only compete for one team during the tournament.

Final Rosters are due the Monday before your tournament.

Schedules

Final game schedules will be released the Wednesday the week before the tournament.

Teams should plan to be available for play throughout the published tournament schedule and through the championship rounds should they qualify.

Specific game times cannot be guaranteed prior to the release of the official tournament schedule.

Outdoor & Natural Ice Conditions

The American Pond Hockey Classic is an outdoor tournament and is inherently dependent upon weather and ice conditions.

Tournament organizers reserve the right to modify rink locations, schedules, game lengths, tournament structure or the number of games when conditions require.

All operational decisions will be made with participant safety and the ability to successfully conduct the tournament as the primary considerations.

Thank you for your interest in the American Pond Hockey Classic.

We look forward to welcoming you and your team to Minocqua and seeing you on the ice.

Hockey the Way Nature Intended.