It’s wintertime in Minnesota and that can only mean one thing: pond hockey.  All over town, people are sharpening their skates, taping their sticks, and bundling up for some good ole’ fashioned pond hockey, known simply as “pond” by many players.  “There is nothing better than the pristine outdoor ice of a pond hockey rink,” says veteran pond hockey player Carter.  A senior at MHS, Carter plays pond almost every day he can during the winter, while still playing regular hockey competitively.  Pond hockey has grown so popular that there are national tournaments every year hosted in the Minneapolis area.  Even though there are some major pond hockey tournaments, Carter still believes “pond is made for fun, not competition.” 

“Most rinks opened up in the second week of December,” says senior George, another pond hockey enthusiast, “and we will keep playing until the ice gets slushy.”  Pond Hockey is a great sport to play with your friends and family.  There are plenty of ponds, lakes, and rinks all throughout Minnetonka for your pond hockey pleasure.  “There is nothing better than playing a pick-up game with a group of people you have never met,” says Lyall. 

Pond hockey is a relatively affordable sport—all you need is a stick and some skates.  Helmets, gloves, and other types of protection are not required and are not commonly used.  Last year however, I learned the hard way that you should still consider using a full mask helmet when Carter hit me in the lip with a misguided shot attempt, which would later require some stitches.

            Broomball is also quickly becoming a winter favorite for some Minnesotans.  Broomball is a variation of hockey.  Players wear boots, hit a circular ball instead of a puck, and use a stick with a rubber-molded triangle on one end, called a broom.  Tactics in broomball are similar to those used in hockey: try to score on the opponent.  “Broomball is slower than hockey, so the rink is smaller” says George.  Broomball is becoming very popular, as there are hundreds of leagues and tournaments all over the state every winter.

Still many Minnesotans choose pond hockey over broomball.  “[Broomball] is just not the real deal,” says Carter.  Whether you choose pond hockey or broomball, you can guarantee that there are plenty of people like Carter and George, who are putting on their favorite jersey, grabbing their stick, and heading out for another game of pond.