USA Hockey Adult Hockey

Not knowing what to expect, a group of guys traveled up to the Labatt Blue/USA Hockey Pond Hockey National Championships in Eagle River, Wisconsin, in 2007 to play a little hockey.

The team became so popular, some players split off.

The Beer Ninjas were born.

The team — which hails from Kenosha County in southeastern Wisconsin, and pulls guys from Wisconsin and Illinois — has been at the Pond Hockey Championships eight of the past nine years. The only year it missed was because it didn’t register in time.

Last year, a second team was added, and this year a third team joined in on the fun. This year’s contingent included the Beer Ninjas (the original guys), Beer Ninjas Too and Beer Ninjas Lite. The guys represent three divisions in 50+ Tier I and II as well as 21+ Intermediate, and the three teams have guys ranging in age from 21 to 64.

“A lot of the Kenosha guys, we all hung out together and everybody knew everybody, so they just said let’s do it next year,” said Beer Ninjas 50+ Tier II original player Jimmy Shane said.

It’s the 50+ Tier II players who are veterans on the pond.

The Beer Ninjas travel to Eagle River every year for the same reason.

“The snow, the ice, the cold weather, cold beer, Labatts and USA Hockey,” Beer Ninjas player Bruce Surber said.

However, the best part is hanging out with the guys and creating a tight bond. It’s the social aspect that Surber loves.

“I’m going to miss that when I retire from this great game,” he said.

Surber — who at 64 is the oldest player on all three teams — likes to joke that his contract has expired. Surber certainly has a fun time with his teammates. There’s never a lack of friendly ribbing from teammate to fellow teammate.

“They never pass me the puck,” Surber said. “They never stop the other team from scoring, and I get so tired because they never want to skate. They’re always wanting to get off the ice.”

“We want to get to the beer, man,” Shane chimed in. “We’re beer ninjas after all.”

The Beer Ninjas haven’t had a great deal of success over the years competing in the Pond Hockey Championships. They’ve never advanced to the playoffs, which start on Saturday night, the second of three days of the weekend event. The team’s best finish in the past has been a 2-1 record. This year, the Beer Ninjas won their first game 7-3 and then fell twice to end their tournament.

Is it important to try and make the playoffs every year?

“We’d rather not,” Surber said. “We’re kind of done with hockey by the time we get those three games in.”

Wait, they don’t want to play Saturday night or Sunday, guaranteeing they’re one of the best teams in their division?

“Certainly not Saturday night,” said Surber with a smirk on his face. “I have played on Sunday; it’s no fun at all. I’d rather be going back to the southern shores of Lake Kenosha.”

After not registering in time a number of years ago, the Beer Ninjas are making sure that won’t happen again. Come 2017, there should be three Beer Ninjas teams invading Eagle River once again.

“There will be ninjas here next year,” Shane said. “It will be OK.

“It’s the pride of Kenosha.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.