It’s World Pond Hockey Championship time in Plaster Rock! Time to lace them up and play some good old Canadian pond hockey this weekend.
The tournament began in 2002 with only 40 teams and has grown substantially—now featuring 120 teams from across Canada, the USA, and around the world in both men’s and ladies’ divisions. This year’s tournament runs February 19–22 and includes teams from as far away as London, England, Czechia, and Slovakia. [wph championships | Word]
Tournament Format
The event uses a four‑on‑four round‑robin format. With 20 outdoor rinks, up to 40 teams can play simultaneously. [wph championships | Word]
- Teams consist of 4 players aged 19+, with an optional 5th player as a substitute.
- Every team is guaranteed at least five 30‑minute games over the 4‑day event.
- Playoffs begin on Sunday, featuring the top 32 teams from earlier rounds. [wph championships | Word]
Unique Pond Hockey Rules
Pond hockey here is a bit different from traditional hockey:
- No goalies.
- Low nets: 6 feet wide, only 10 inches high — all shots must stay low to avoid interfering with nearby rinks.
- Scoring line rule: Players must be over the center line to score.
- No penalty box: Any penalty results in an automatic goal for the opposing team. [wph championships | Word]
Click here for the complete tournament schedule
