A New England-based, multi-state organizer of outdoor pond hockey has acquired Minneapolis’ beloved U.S. Pond Hockey Championships (USPHC). 

That means next year’s USPHC, hosted Jan. 23-25 on Lake Nokomis, will be the first under ownership of Pond Hockey Classic (PHC). A PHC news release describes the acquisition as uniting “two of the most iconic pond hockey events under one portfolio, creating the largest and most influential platform in the sport.”

Scott Crowder founded PHC in 2010 after graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. “From the beginning, I have admired the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships as a top-notch example of what a pond hockey tournament should be,” Crowder said in the release. “To now carry that tradition forward under the PHC banner is an incredible honor.”

He added, “Our goal is to preserve what makes the USPHC special, while using our 17 years of experience to elevate the player and fan experience for years to come.”

Going into its 21st year, the USPHC is a nationally regarded Minneapolis tradition. The four-on-four pond-hockey tournament takes place on Lake Nokomis and serves as an “annual pilgrimage for thousands.” Winning teams get their names etched into a golden shovel.

Participant numbers have fluctuated, but the USPHC is usually played on 26 rinks with more than 250 teams, Crowder says. So, that’s about 2,000 to 2,200 participants. Typically, the tournament draws 20,000 to 25,000 spectators in a weekend.

Crowder’s goal with PHC was to meet demand for outdoor hockey in the Northeast. He describes PHC as an event management company that caters to outdoor pond hockey in North America.

PHC began in New Hampshire and has expanded, with iterations in Vermont, Montana, and New York City. PHC’s takeover of USPHC, announced in October, is PHC’s first ever acquisition.

The Minneapolis championships add to PHC’s growing portfolio of “marquee events,” three in total post-acquisition. The other two are the New England Pond Hockey Classic, Jan. 30-Feb. 1 in New Hampshire, and the Lake Champlain Pond Hockey Classic, Feb. 6-8 in Vermont.

Together, all three of these tournaments are expected to attract more than 5,600 players, 40,000 spectators, and 10 million social media impressions.

The New Hampshire-based organization’s expansion into Minnesota—the state of hockey, per Crowder—marks a major steppingstone for PHC. 

“Hockey is alive and well,” Crowder tells Twin Cities Business. “We’re excited to take the reins of an event that’s 20 years running, a long-standing staple in the state.”

Minnesotan hockey fans shouldn’t be any less excited, Crowder adds. “I don’t know if there is a more passionate community for the game of hockey in general,” he says. “For anybody that’s ever laced up skates, the ability to play outside is something that they look forward to doing.”

The enveloping of USPHC into PHC is significant for the sport of pond hockey itself, he says. “The number of pond hockey tournament organizers across the country—there’s not very many of us.” Putting together a tournament is labor intensive, and challenges include warmer-than-expected winters. Warm conditions led USPHC to cancel its second weekend in 2024. 

Crowder reiterates that PHC isn’t looking to make major changes to USPHC proceedings but rather will apply its operating model to improve the event. The only significant change is the decision to revert to an older event structure, which was in place for about 15 years. Next year, the tournament will once again be a three-day event, with a welcome party and player check-in on Thursday, the first round of games on Friday and Saturday, and playoff rounds on Sunday.

“I think there’s a lot of excitement around this year’s event, with new ownership coming in and breathing some new life into the event,” Crowder says.

Key channels of income, he says, include team registration fees ($1,200 per team), merchandise, concessions, and sponsors, including Tradition Companies, Brunt Workwear, Howies Hockey Tape, Men’s League Sweaters, and Celly Hockey. Attending the event as a spectator is free. Crowder did not disclose revenue.