Real Talk
Pond Hockey Classic
Saturday February 4, 2023
Larry Olexiuk Field in St. Albert
47 Riel Dr #10, St. Albert, AB
Sign-Up Now Open!
Team Registrations Now Open
$500 per Team
Jersey Sponsorship Available
Register early as this event fills up quickly
Thank You
Thank you to all of our organizers, sponsors and volunteers for making this event a success.
We hope to see you again in 2024.
Until then, here are some photos from the days festivities.
Pond Hockey Classic 2023 – Photo Gallery
With the Support of
And Our Jersey Sponsors
Q. Where is the event located?
A. Larry Olexiuk Park, St. Albert (47 Riel Drive, St. Albert, AB)
Q. Why has the location been changed from Lacombe Park Pond?
A. The ice surface at Lacombe Park Pond has grown increasingly unpredictable and presented ongoing challenges over the last number of years. Given the number of variables out of our control, the City of St. Albert has allocated space at the Larry Olexiuk Park to prepare ice surfaces specifically for this event. Moving the event to Larry Olexiuk Park will also improve the quality of our ice surfaces and provide significantly more parking.
Q. When does the tournament start?
A. Registration opens at 8:30 am. Opening Ceremonies begin at 9:30 am. Pucks drop at 10:00 am.
Q. Where will we be able to park?
A. There is significant parking available at Larry Olexiuk Field. Players are encouraged to carpool or use ride sharing. We are not offering a shuttle service for the event. Anyone who parks illegally will likely be ticketed as St. Albert Municipal Enforcement will be monitoring the event. Volunteers will be provided with parking passes. Overflow parking will be available at the Kinsmen Banquet Hall.
Q. How many players are required per team?
A. Teams can consist of 3-5 skaters. Players are expected to make any substitutions on the fly.
Q. Do teams require goalies?
A. No. Goalies are not required. Teams consist of only skaters. We have constructed specialized pond hockey nets for the tournament.
Q. What equipment is required?
A. Players are required to wear helmets, skates, and gloves. It is recommended that players also wear elbow pads to prevent injury from unexpected falls.
Q. How many games are teams guaranteed to play?
A. Each team is guaranteed to play 5 games.
Q. Can we bring outside food and drink?
A. Food and drink will be available at the event. Dairy Queen will be serving burgers and other items. Central Social Hall will be serving a variety of drinks. You are welcome to bring outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. Players are prohibited from bringing any outside alcohol on location. Failure to do so will result in your removal from the tournament. Alcoholic beverages served must remain within the beer gardens.
Q. Are there referees?
A. No. Players are expected to officiate themselves. There are volunteer scorekeepers monitoring the games and providing additional pucks as needed. Gentlemen conduct is expected. For example, if your team puts the puck out of play, the opposing team is granted possession. After a goal, the team which has just scored is expected to allow the team with possession to advance the play without immediate pressure. Faceoffs only occur at the beginning of each game. There are no penalties, but in the event of any accidental tripping etc. the team guilty of the offense should lose possession.
Q. Are slapshots allowed?
A. No. Players are not permitted to take slapshots in order to put player safety as our first concern.
Q. Can teams score from anywhere on the ice?
A. No. Goals will only count when they are scored from the offensive side of centre ice. This is to prevent players from shooting the puck from their own end with enough force and velocity that could cause injury if deflected.
Q. Will the tournament be cancelled due to cold temperatures?
A. No. Bundle up buttercup.
Q. Will there be Cash Machines on location?
A. Yes. There are ATMs at the event.
Q. Is there a lost and found?
A. We will be holding onto any misplaced items following the event. Simply contact Craig Strain directly should you discover you have lost any equipment or gear following the event.
Q. What charitable groups does the event support?
A. Proceeds from the event will be used to assist Uncles & Aunts at Large and KidSport St. Albert. KidSport provides financial assistance for registration fees and equipment needs to children under the age of 18. Established in 1967, Uncles & Aunts at Large was among the earliest agencies in the Edmonton area to organize mentor services for children. Through Uncles & Aunts at Large, volunteers offer companionship, mentoring and friendly support to children ages 6 to 18 from single-parent families.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
REGISTRATION – Team registration will be held from 8:30-9:30am at the entry way of the Central Social Hall Beer Gardens. All participants must register to confirm their vaccination status and receive an event wristband. A representative from each team will be provided with their team’s jerseys, event bag, and round robin schedule.
OPENING CEREMONIES – Opening ceremonies will be held within the beer gardens at 9:30am. This will include our national anthem and ceremonial puck drop. Following this we will take the tournament group photo of all participants.
GAMES – Games will begin at 10:00am sharp. Schedules will be posted next to the entry way from the beer gardens to the ice surface. Only those teams playing will be allowed on the ice surface to allow mobility of our ice sweepers. Teams will be allowed on the ice surface for warm up 5 minutes prior to their scheduled game times and asked to return to the beer gardens promptly after completion of their games.
GAME FORMAT – All games are 12 minutes (running time) and changes are done on the fly. A maximum of 5 players can be dressed per game which will be a 3 on 3 format. Special miniature nets have been made for the event. Helmets, hockey gloves, skates and sticks are required (shin pads & elbow pads are recommended). If a player is not wearing all the required equipment, they will not be able to participate in the game.
BEER GARDENS – The Central Social Hall beer gardens will be open to all players & spectators (all ages). Anyone over the age of 12 will be required to provide one piece of identification and proof of vaccination and/or a negative test in order to receive a wristband. All alcoholic beverages must remain within the beer garden. The beer garden includes a heated and enclosed structure and will be broadcasting Hockey Day in Canada. It also includes an exterior winter patio which includes fire pits and a Dairy Queen grilling station.
Submit additional questions to Craig Strain at pondhockey@cpcstalbert.ca or 780 884 4839.
This event would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors and donors. We ask you to consider entering a team or the jersey sponsorship opportunity and help give the gift of sport.
The Canadian Progress Club St. Albert is excited to partner with Real Talk Ryan Jespersen to host the Real Talk Pond Hockey Classic.
Again, this year’s event will coincide with Scotiabank’s Hockey Day in Canada, on Saturday, February 4th, 2023 at the Larry Olexiuk Park, St. Albert (47 Riel Drive, St. Albert, AB). The event includes heated and enclosed (skate-up) beer gardens and St. Albert’s only winter patio with multiple fire pits. Our beer gardens are outfitted with multiple flat screens and will be running Hockey Day in Canada throughout the tournament day. All teams are guaranteed a minimum of 5 games and will receive gift bags with their team jerseys upon arrival.
Since its inception, this tournament has raised over $200,000 in support of local charities. These include, but are not limited to, KidSport St. Albert, Uncles and Aunts at Large, Camp Warwa, and the Special Olympics.
Join us for an exceptional day on the pond.
Sincerely,
Craig Strain
Canadian Progress Club – St. Albert
pondhockey@cpcstalbert.ca
In support of
