Experience an Authentic Northwoods Adventure for Hockey Players and Families
As a local business deeply rooted in our charming tourism town, we’re excited to share why American Pond Hockey is the ideal destination to embrace the magic of a Northwoods winter. The unique pond hockey experience offers much more than just skating—it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in a vibrant community and enjoy the beauty of our region. Here’s why our operation stands out from the rest.
1. Locally Managed: Committed to Quality and Safety
We take great pride in managing our pond hockey rinks locally. Here’s what you should know:
Impact of Snow: Heavy snow on lake ice can act as insulation, slowing the ice’s growth and damaging the surface. Maintaining top-notch ice conditions is a labor of love that begins well before the first puck drops. Our commitment starts as soon as it’s safe to do so and continues through the winter in response to the elements. We begin by clearing snow manually with shovels, then snowblowers, and (eventually) lightweight ATV/UTV vehicles. Without the collective hard work of our community, cancellations would have been inevitable in 2023 and 2024.
2. A Community Experience
APH is a fantastic opportunity to connect with our vibrant community. We are honored to have received the Minocqua area “Community Spirit Award” in 2024. Our strong community spirit is a natural result of living in a place where events like the American Birkebeiner, Beef a’ Rama and Minocstock are celebrated.
3. A Stunning Northwoods Setting
Our pond hockey rinks are situated in the picturesque Northwoods, offering a winter landscape that feels like a scene from a fairy tale. This breathtaking setting enhances your entire experience and showcases the natural splendor of our region.
4. Comfort and Convenience
A great winter adventure is about more than just the ice. We’ve designed our amenities to ensure you’re comfortable and well taken care of:
Heated Shelters: Our mobile saunas, space heaters, fire pits and heated shelters provide a warm haven between games, allowing you to relax and enjoy the winter scenery without the chill.
Spectator Areas: For those cheering from the sidelines, our comfortable spectator areas offer excellent views of the rink, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the action.
Local Fare: Enjoy local favorite food vendors and a limited edition craft beer, made specifically for APH by Rocky Reef Brewing Co.
Family Friendly: Engage with the on-site activities, contests and other live entertainment, hosted by the Minocqua Public Library, Imaginuity toy store, and other local staples.
Discover the Magic
We invite you to experience the Northwoods winter magic with us at American Pond Hockey. Whether you’re a local resident or visiting our town for the first time, APH offers a unique and memorable adventure. With our dedication to quality, community involvement, and a stunning setting, we’re sure you’ll find that our winter wonderland is a highlight of your season.
DIVISIONS
Premier: For players with professional, collegiate, AAA or other elite hockey experience. The team with the worst record will be demoted to the open division for the following year.
Open: The Open division is for adult players with any form of organized hockey. Open champs will be bumped up to Premier each year.
Women: This division is for female adult players only.
Bender: The Bender division is for lower-level teams that don’t qualify for the Grouse division due to having some form of organized hockey experience on their resume. Comparable to senior rat hockey, this division is for the 50+ crowd, the mix-and match teams, and anyone who wants to “test the waters” before competing at the Open level. The top Bender team will be promoted to Open for the following season.
Grouse: This abbreviated APH experience is for players without any form of organized hockey who just want to participate and have fun. Score will not be kept and a champion will not be crowned.
3v3 Showdown: New this year! Join us for a new APH hockey experience to take place at the Lumberjack Bowl in Hayward, WI on January 24 and January 25. This tournament is open to adult hockey players of all ages and levels of play.
