9280 Pond Hockey Tournament in 2015 (Photo: Mike Gempeler)
Those generous folks at Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation and this weekend in Keystone the will feature an astonishing 97 teams competing on Keystone Lake. Mascot Bernie and the Avalanche Ice Girls will in Keystone on Saturday, and although the Avs don’t have an alumni team registered, former defenseman Jan Hejda will lace up the skates. The event is free to the public and includes live bands.
Back to the Copper Mountain event, which featured 24 teams. It was a benefit for Dave Repsher, who was one of the flight nurses on the Flight for Life helicopter that crashed on July 3. Dave was a hockey player in the Breckenridge adult league and a long time member of the Copper Mountain ski patrol. He is in critical condition with burns over 90 percent of his body. Donations are continually being accepted to help support Dave and his family.
is believed to be the largest of its kind in Colorado, and among the biggest in the country outside Minnesota.
The 97 teams consists of 65 adult (five divisions, men and women) and 32 youth teams (four divisions from U8 to U14).
“We saw the need for a hockey family friendly, all-ages pond hockey tournament,” said tournament co-owner Geoff Dell, a CCM equipment representative. “There are a couple beer-heavy events in the market but none that cater to the whole hockey family.
The Colorado Sled Hockey Club, along with the Colorado Adaptive Sports Foundation, will have a game on the big rink Sunday at noon. After the game, they’ll offering demos on the sleds for anyone who’d like to try.
Mike Gempeler photo
