The Last Frontier Pond Hockey Classic is back in Big Lake, with more than 150 hockey teams playing February 23-25 for Alaska's largest outdoor hockey event.
On the ice near Burkeshore Marina in Big Lake, 20 outdoor rinks will host 10 divisions of four-on-four hockey. The event is hosted by the Scotty Gomez Foundation, run by Alaska's famous ex-NHL star. The event is not just about hockey, however - there is a family skating rink, concerts and a food and beer garden available throughout the weekend.
The tournament was held in Anchorage on Goose Lake before the move to Big Lake in 2017, as it got bigger and bigger. On Friday, the kids take the ice in the tournament, and on Saturday and Sunday, women, men, open, novice, co-ed, elite and 49ers divisions take place. In addition to the hockey, there are concerts, food vendors, a beer garden, kids games and a fireworks display on Saturday night.
The event is a fund-raiser for the Scotty Gomez Foundation, which is dedicated to making hockey accessible to children across Alaska. The foundation has supplied countless teams with free gear, ice time, and sponsored leagues to make sure kids have a chance to learn to play. The deadline to register teams is February 15. For registration information, visit www.akpond.com.