A Lotta Pucks

“At first, the community didn’t have a clue who I was.”

Scott Crowder, Organizer of the New England Pond Hockey Classic

Photo by TAZ Photos

Nestled among some of New England’s largest lakes, Meredith, New Hampshire (population 1,875) is the perfect getaway in the summer. But come winter, folks pack up and get away from Meredith. This weekend two little words are changing all that: pond hockey.

Played on frozen lakes instead of ice rinks, pond hockey seems a perfect fit for Meredith. At least, that’s what Scott Crowder thought. Growing up, Mr. Crowder spent his summers on the lakes around Meredith and his winters playing hockey. Fresh out of college in 2010, he put the two together and organized the New England Pond Hockey Classic on Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith. Mr. Crowder says local businesses weren’t on board that first year—most didn’t know who he was—but that didn’t stop the hockey players. Seventy-seven teams from around the country showed up to play.

This year, 200 teams are competing in the New England Pond Hockey Classic, which starts tomorrow and lasts through the weekend. Tickets to the event have long been sold out, and hotels and restaurants in Meredith are filled to capacity. In fact, this pond hockey weekend now represents the biggest financial weekend of the year for the small town. I’ll bet the local businesses know who Mr. Crowder is now.

Read more:

■  Jim Connelly, From old pads to new dreams: Former college players help put kids on the ice, USCHO, January 17, 2012.

■  The Pond Hockey Classic website.