A Very Special Thank-You to Our Major
Maine Pond Hockey Sponsors
Philosophy
01
The Maine Pond Hockey Classic isn’t a slick arena show; it’s hockey stripped to its joyful core—players policing themselves, kids chasing pucks in snowbanks, and strangers sharing hand-warmers at the bonfire.
Outdoor Conditions
02
Expect everything a pond can throw at you: ankle-high snowdrifts, micro-cracks, or—on banner years—a mirror-smooth sheet. Crews flood rinks nightly and patch gaps with snow-slush, but freezing hoses and sudden thaws are part of the adventure.
Sportsmanship & Attitude
03
The best stories come from teams that lean into the playground vibe—like the Nova Scotia squad that handed opponents maple-candy gift bags before face-off. “That Guy/Girl” behaviors (arguing every call, cheap shots, chirping refs) get you benched or bounced. If you can’t name your team’s hothead…it might be you.
Tournament Ethos: Plan to have fun, and everything will go as planned.
Game Format & Structure
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Rink Size | 67′ × 134′ cleared lanes on the lake ice. |
| Teams | 4-on-4; no goalies at any level. |
| Pool Play | Three guaranteed games for every roster. |
| Playoffs | Top 50 % (max 8) per division advance to single-elimination Sunday brackets. |
| Schedule Flow | Check-in & opening games Friday evening; full pool slate Saturday; playoffs + awards Sunday early afternoon. |
| On-Site Services | Heated lodge/info tent, first-aid station, food row, merch shop, and DJ/PA stage. |
Rules & Regulations
Game Minutes
Youth games are 30 minutes 2x10min half.
No off-sides or icing.
Clear to center after every goal or infraction.
Keep it low
Shots above knee height = loss of possession.
No permanent goalie or sliding blocks.
Lay-down saves can award an automatic goal.
Tents may not be set until your team arrives if snow-removal space is needed.
Venue Guide — Camp Tracy
Address:
302 McGrath Pond Road, Oakland ME 04963 – a 32‑acre AYCC campus tucked into the pines on the north‑west shore of 467‑acre McGrath Pond.
Why the new site rules
- Faster, more reliable ice – McGrath Pond is only ≈ 470 acres, a fraction of Snow Pond’s 3 ,700 acres; the smaller surface freezes earlier and stays uniformly solid.
- Built‑in wind block – Rinks sit on the west bank, shielded by wooded slopes that blunt prevailing winter winds, keeping snow‑drift clean‑up (and your face) a lot calmer.
- Heated lodge & cabins – Year‑round buildings provide changing rooms, restrooms, and a warm-up hub steps from the ice.
- Easy parking – A lakeside lot means no shuttle this year; unload gear within 100 feet of most rinks.
Penalties
Minor = immediate turnover; serious or repeat = penalty shot + turnover; major (fighting, dangerous play) = ejection for tourney. Honor-system first, but officials reserve final call.
Equipment & Safety
HECC-approved helmet and skates are mandatory; gloves strongly recommended. No goalie gear or sticks. Bring matching sweaters plus a light-dark backup. Alcohol must stay inside the venue area (the play area, tents, and stands)—no outside adult beverages.
Parking & Transportation
Parking at our new Camp Tracey location is free for our 2026 tournament. Please carpool, if possible, to allow room
for everyone attending the event!
Local Accommodations for Camp Tracy (Oakland, ME)
Below are the four hotel partners closest to Camp Tracy’s waterfront campus on McGrath Pond in Oakland, Maine. Oakland sits ≈ 4 miles west of Waterville and ≈ 18 miles north of Augusta, so most lodging is concentrated in those two service hubs. All properties honor the “MainePond Hockey” corporate rate; block inventory is tight, so secure rooms the same week you register your team.
| Hotel (link to book / call) | Approx. distance to Camp Tracy |
|---|---|
| Hampton Inn Waterville – 425 Kennedy Memorial Dr., Waterville | ~ 7 mi / 12 min |
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites Waterville – North – 332 Main St., Waterville | ~ 8 mi / 14 min |
| Fireside Inn & Suites – Waterville – 356 Main St., Waterville | ~ 9 mi / 15 min |
| Hampton Inn Augusta – 388 Western Ave., Augusta | ~ 18 mi / 22 min |
| Senator Inn & Spa – Augusta – 284 Western Ave., Augusta | ~ 18 mi / 23 min |
Spectator & Community Info
01
Free admission
(parking pass aside) means grandparents to toddlers can cheer from rink-side snowbanks.
02
Unified Special Hockey
exhibition and boot-hockey demos light up Sunday noon.
03
Food-truck row + beer garden + merch tent
create festival energy even for non-skaters.