Rink construction begins for U.S. Pond Hockey Championships
Construction of a giant warming house and 26 rinks begins Wednesday for the eighth annual U.S. Pond Hockey Championships on Lake Nokomis, the Associated Press reports.
The two-day event beginning on Jan. 18 bills itself as the largest pond hockey tournament in the country, welcoming 200 teams and a couple thousand players.
After the NHL lockout caused a hockey drought, the Minnesota Wild are also expected to hit the ice tournament weekend.
Organizers tell KSTP that ice conditions are good right out of the gate and if temperatures don't drop too low, the tournament could bring in 15,000 to 25,000 spectators.
