Winter fun: pond hockey

The Kalispell Convention and Visitor Bureau also is focusing on another new event, the inaugural Montana Pond Hockey Classic on Foy’s Lake, set for Feb. 21-23, 2014.

The bureau has secured former professional hockey player and Flathead Valley resident Lanny McDonald as the official spokesman for the event, which will be the largest pond hockey tournament in the Northwest. Registrations open on Sept. 1.

A youth hockey tournament, sponsored by the Flathead Valley Hockey Association based at the Woodland Park Ice Rink, will be held in conjunction with the Pond Hockey Classic.

Rob Brisendine of the Kalispell Convention and Visitor Bureau said that, though there is reasonable confidence there will be enough ice to hold the tournament on Foy’s Lake, contingency plans are in place to stage the event at a higher altitude if necessary.

For more information on the pond hockey tournament, visit www.pondhockeyclassic.com.