Last Frontier Pond Hockey Classic returns to Big Lake

BIG LAKE — Carlos Gomez and the Scotty Gomez Foundation are playing the part of Ray Kinsella.

If you build it, they will come.

But instead of a baseball diamond carved into an Iowa cornfield, it’s a dozen groomed hockey rinks on the ice of Big Lake.

The Gomez Foundation is hosting its fourth annual Last Frontier Pond Hockey Classic Friday through Sunday at Burkeshore Arena in Big Lake. The foundation — started by Scott Gomez, a former East Anchorage High School star who continued on to enjoy a stellar NHL career, and his father, Carlos — moved the event from Anchorage to Big Lake last year to accommodate growth.

And the interest and participation continues to grow.

The 2018 four-on-four hockey tournament will feature 100 teams spread across nine division, up from 76 last year. Teams with six-player rosters will skate on a dozen groomed sheets on the ice of Big Lake. Teams in the youth divisions — U10, U14 and U18 — hit the ice Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, adults teams in the 49ers, elite, open, women, co-ed and novice will skate.

There is also a rink groomed for family skating.

The weekend also features more than just hockey. There is a food and beer garden, and massive warming tent. Karaoke is on the schedule Friday night. Admission is free. Hawaiian reggae band H3 will perform Saturday at 7 p.m. Admission is also free. It’s an all ages show, but minors must be accompanied by an adult. There will also be a fireworks show Saturday night.

Admission is free, but there is a charge for parking, with proceeds going to the Mat-Su Amateur Hockey Association. There is a cost of $5 for cars and trucks per day and $10 per day for motorhomes. There is also a weekend rate of $10 for cars and trucks, and $15 for motorhomes. All other proceeds from the event go directly to the Scotty Gomez Foundation, a staunch supporter of youth hockey in Alaska. The foundation is named for Gomez, who retired after a long NHL career just prior to the 2016-17 season. Gomez played in more than 1,000 NHL games scoring 181 goals and 575 points. He was first-round selection of New Jersey, and was awarded the Calder Trophy, the league’s rookie of the year, after his first season with the Devils in 1999-2000. Gomez helped New Jersey win the NHL’s Stanley Cup twice, first in 2000 and again in 2003.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.