USA Hockey Adult Hockey

The Labatt Blue/USA Hockey Pond Hockey National Championships have seen a variety of trends take hold over their six years in existence.
More teams, snowy competition and more games have become the norm at the annual tournament in Eagle River, Wis., but one area of growth, more families, is of particular interest to USA Hockey.
“It means they’re making a vacation out of this event,” said Ashley Bevan, senior director of the adult department at USA Hockey. “It’s great for the area, it’s great for the event and it’s great for that family to enjoy pond hockey as a family unit.”
Over the past two tournaments, USA Hockey staff and Eagle River businesses, hotels and area attractions have noticed more families tagging along with players. Bevan said what used to be a guys or gals weekend away has become an event for the entire family.
Brad Davis, 37, of Minneapolis, brought his son Darwin, 2, to watch him play with the Plum Skaters. Davis said his son enjoys the atmosphere and even brought his blue, snowflake clad skates for some ice time with dad and grandpa.
“My little guy loves hockey,” Davis said. “We watch hockey all the time and to go Gopher games. I’ve been telling him about pond hockey and he’s just learning to skate so this is the perfect place for this guy right now.”

The Ellis family, from Mosinee, Wis., came to the 2011 event as spectators. Chad has competed in the event before and continues the family tradition by bringing wife Tammy and children Ryan, 5, and Lauren, 8.
“It’s one of those things where once you start coming you just have to keep coming,” Chad said.
Tammy pointed out that she’s seem a lot more children and families at the event.
“The first few years we came, it seemed like our kids were the only ones here,” she said. “It’s a very kid friendly atmosphere.”
Chad said he sees most adult teams willing to make the event fun for children. He said the Capitalist Pigs even gave his children a pin. Ryan boasted that he had been given five pucks on Friday.
“There is so much of that here,” Chad said. “You can walk through and someone will give one of your kids a puck.”