Pond Hockey boosts Climate Awareness, Economy... and Fun!

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Blog Entries
March 15, 2022
 
It was hockey in its purest form this weekend as the Polar Pond Hockey tournament returned to Hay River March 11-13th.
With 34 teams registered (including 10 women’s teams and 11 from out of town), media representatives, celebrities and fans of all ages, the event attracted upwards of 200 people to the Hub. It was the first full Polar Pond Hockey event in five years.
Players, fans and autograph seekers flooded the ice and filled hotels and restaurants bringing a much-welcome boost to the town’s post-COVID spirit and economy.
Among those in attendance were Olympian Meagan Agosta and NHL alumni Craig MacTavish, Andrew Ference and Curtis Glencross.
Thanks to support from the federally funded Climate and Sport Initiative this year’s event also doubled as a sanctioned 2022 Save Pond Hockey event – the first in Canada to be recognized under the initiative that originated in Helsinki, Finland.
Climate and Sport uses sporting events like the Polar Pond Hockey as a platform to educate, engage and empower awareness and action on Climate Change.  Olympic gold medalist, author and motivational speaker Hayley Wickenheiser, who serves as the organization’s spokesperson and champion, was also in attendance.
When it was all over, Hay River’s Smirnoff Steamers won bragging rights in the open category. Shut The Bardown emerged as the Ladies Division Champs.
The GNWT recognizes the positive and important economic impacts that big events can have in small communities. ITI’s South Slave Regional office was happy to be one of many local sponsors for the event.