2012 Miramichi Rotary Pond Hockey Tournament Ready To Go

The location is French Fort Cove and the ice conditions are excellent. The surface has been kept clear of what little snow we had, so as of this week there was 18 inches of ice.

The markers for the ice surfaces would have been planted, using a sophisticated GPS system to set the coordinates. The plan calls for 16 ice surfaces - 14 to play our games on and 2 for the public to enjoy.

We will have winter fireworks again on Saturday night, starting at 8 PM, courtesy of Renaud's Countrywide and the Newcastle Rotary Club.

This year we will be ending the hockey Saturday night, with the final games immediately following the fireworks display. There will be no hockey Sunday. This is subject to Mother Nature's approval.

There are 84 teams registered. With the change to ending Saturday, and the need to get all the games in by a reasonable hour, this is just the right number.

The live Internet streaming video will be present again, located through a link off our website (www.MRPH.ca). This is a partnership between Bell-Aliant, District 16, and Miramichi Online. Please let friends and family, far and wide, know they can tune in to watch and maybe see familiar faces. District schools will also be doing video interviews and blogging for the internet community. Miramichi Online will also be carrying some of the games LIVE on the MO))) Cam located on our website at (miramichionline.com) (Schedule of the times will be posted very soon).

Molson-Coors and Miramichi Transit have teamed up to offer free rides to and from French Fort Cove. All that is needed is to get on any city bus anywhere in the city and say you are going to pond hockey, there will be no charge and they will drop you off there. Please take the opportunity to leave your vehicle at home as parking is limited. There will be additional bus availability Saturday night after the fireworks and final games, with the last one leaving the pond close to 10 PM. Look for the temporary bus shelter, which will have the schedule posted inside.

This year will see our first use of the "PondTron", a 10 foot by 7.5 foot video screen. Supplied by Trinity Sounds, it will act like a large Smartboard with constant information about team standings, scheduled games, etc.

Friday Feb.3 is "Jersey Day". Everyone is encouraged to put on their favourite hockey jersey, whether they are at school, work, or play. Please take the time to click a picture and forward it to rotarypondhockey@yahoo.ca. Our photographers will be floating around all weekend, "say cheese".

Dropping the ceremonial puck at the opening ceremonies will be Colonel Paul Rutherford, Base Commander of CFB Gagetown. The oldest player, Hal Raper, and the youngest player, Liam Richardson, will receive the puck drop. We will miss having Roy Matheson and his River Haven Campground team playing, as Roy had been the oldest player for 6 years running. CFB Gagetown has been extremely supportive of this event over the years.

Referees are still needed. Please contact Wally McLean at wally@mightymiramichi.com.

Volunteers are still needed to help to assist with setting up the site, all day Thursday and Friday, as well as helping to remove it on Sunday. Please contact Donnalu Derry at matchit@nb.aibn.com.

All net proceeds from pond hockey go to Rotary projects.

Thanks for your assistance with this community effort.