Pond Hockey, fun for all

BIG LAKE — Hundreds of young hockey players across the state gathered atop the frozen Big Lake to participate in this year’s Last Frontier Pond Hockey Classic, put on by the Scotty Gomez Foundation.

This friendly, yet competitive, tournament is a fun way for the kids to take a break from the more serious games and enjoy hockey for hockey’s sake, playing in its most natural form, on a frozen lake.

For three days, it’s planet hockey, with songs like “I Wanna Drive the Zamboni” by The Gear Daddies playing on the overhead speakers.

Kids of all ages were seen playing hockey, in and out of official games. A fast-paced tournament game would occur just feet away from groups of kids in casual clothes playing with other kids in jerseys. The terrain is tougher than an indoor rink but the kids didn’t seem to mind at all, in fact they seemed to lavish the opportunity.

“It’s just different than normal hockey and it’s faster-paced,” Scotty Gomez Foundation Rams player Peter May said.

May has been playing hockey since he was 4. He said he likes it because it’s different than other sports.

“It’s a really fun game. It’s fun teamwork,” May said.

The foundation is named after former NHL player Scotty Gomez’s, but his father Carlos is the main force behind it. Carlos created the foundation over six years ago to support Alaska’s youth hockey community.

The pond hockey tournament serves a fundraiser for the foundation, who writes grants and provides opportunities for kids who may not otherwise be able to experience the game.

“This is our sixth year, so we’ve pretty much got it down,” Carlos said.

During the first day of the tournament, Carlos went across the lake from one game to the next, usually with a smile on his face.

“The weather’s been cooperating. It’s a great event, great weekend. The party just started,” Carlos said.

Quite a few Valley teams took to the pond this year. It started in Anchorage but quickly moved to Valley to accommodate the rapid growth.

“We outgrew it real quick. We figured we’d give it a shot in Big Lake. The first couple years, we lost money in Anchorage. I was so sold on this pond hockey. Alaska, we’re about hockey so I knew at the right venue it’d work so we brought it out here and put in a band and entertainment. That got us over the hump,” Carlos said.

Carlos said the tournament grows with each passing year. He said the laidback atmosphere and overall mission to support kids playing hockey has been a huge hit. The three-day event draws lots of family and friends to party on the lake while supporting their players.

“We advertise, ‘a little bit of hockey, a lot of entertainment. In the Valley, look, we’ve got space,” Carlos said.

Carlos said teams from across the country and beyond have participated in this and continue to show interest for the coming years. To date, it’s Alaska’s biggest and only pond hockey tournament. He said they have a great relationship with Big Lake and the Burkeshore Marina.

“Nobody has that. It’s a party up here,” Carlos said. “It’s getting bigger and bigger. It’s been growing and it’s been a great partnership here,” Carlos said.

Carlos said his favorite thing about pond hockey is seeing friends and other familiar faces, watching the kids grow up the ice.

“They have so many tournaments, but nothing like this; just kinda small, no goalies. Kids really get into it,” Carlos said.

Carlos feels good being able to say his work and the efforts of his board encourages more young Alaskans to pick up a stick and pair of skates.

“The hockey community is a small community,” Being that it’s taking off, that’s probably the proudest thing for me. I’ve been pushing it, pushing it; and there’s no return now. We’re here for real,” Carlos said.

Hockey mom Sabra Sturgis watched her 11-year-old son Sawyer play against the Ice Kings with his team, the Ugly Pucklings, which is a composition of Palmer Youth Hockey Youth Association and Jr Avalanche Youth Hockey Association players.

There were some sponsored teams but many of the teams assembled just for this event out of groups of friends just wanting to play just for the love of the sport, hence the fun and pun ridden names.

“I just love how all these different kids who maybe didn’t play in the season get to play together in the season are coming together now for some fun,” Sturgis said.

Sturgis said she loved the fact she could enjoy this event for free as her relatives can watch their kid play without worrying about costs.

The free costs come at a great price that Carlos is willing to pay.

“It’s an expensive event to put on but I’m determined to keep it free. I don’t want to start charging people. I want a family of four to be able to come out here and not be nickel and dime-ed to death, you know?” Carlos said.

Carlos said they’re moving next year’s tournament to February because of consistently warmer winters. Carlos said they’ll be coming back to the Valley, hopefully with more local sponsors.

“The Valley you know, they’re my buds. I’m just looking for more support from the Valley. A majority of sponsors are from Anchorage and that’s why I keep pushing the Valley to help me out,” Carlos said.

For more information about the Scotty Gomez Foundation, call 907-230-8744 or visit scottygomezfoundation.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley

Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com