Why Do We Do This?
Because honestly, we love pond hockey.
We love the competition, the cold air, the friendships, the laughs between games and watching a frozen lake turn into a hockey rink for the day. The Iron Creek Classic is an absolute blast for us, and we hope it is for you, too.
But there is a much bigger reason we keep coming back year after year.
Every puck dropped at the Iron Creek Classic helps put a kid on the ice.
The Northern Hills Chinook is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth hockey organization working to make hockey more accessible for kids across the Northern Hills. Our program is growing, but we don't have a permanent home rink. Our players travel for ice, practices and games, and we work year-round to provide opportunities for kids to learn the game, build confidence and be part of a team.
The Iron Creek Classic helps make that possible.
The money raised from this tournament goes directly back into youth hockey, helping with things like ice time, tournaments, equipment, scholarships, family assistance and our long-term goal of bringing a permanent ice facility to the Northern Black Hills.
So yes, come play hockey. Come compete. Come have a ridiculously fun day on the pond.
But know that when you register for the Iron Creek Classic, you're also helping build something bigger.
You're helping make sure a kid who wants to play hockey gets the chance.
The kids are why we do this.
What To Expect
The Iron Creek Classic is about more than winning a hockey tournament. It's about getting outside, playing some hockey and enjoying a winter day in the Black Hills.
On Ice
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3-on-3 pond hockey
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Competitive, fast-paced games
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Teams of up to 8 players
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Beautiful Iron Creek Lake as your rink
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Commemorative pucks for winning teams
Off Ice
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Event t-shirts for every participant
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A kids skating area for our future hockey stars
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Plenty of time to hang out, watch hockey and enjoy the lake
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A great winter atmosphere for players, families and spectators
Warming Tent
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TWO Heated 20x50 Party Tents
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Food & Beverage Options
The Schedule
Puck drop is at 9:00 AM!
Before your team hits the ice, every player must have a completed team waiver on file. You can have everyone sign ahead of time and email the completed waiver to us, or bring it with you and turn it in at the tournament check-in table.
We ask that all team captains arrive by 8:30 AM for a quick captain's meeting. We'll go over the tournament rules, answer questions and address any concerns before the games begin. Final game schedules will be sent directly to team captains before the tournament.
Get here early, get checked in, meet your teammates and get ready to hit the pond!
The Drive
First things first: We highly recommend carpooling! Parking at Iron Creek Lake is limited, so please plan to share a ride whenever possible.
Coming from Out of Town?
The fastest route to Iron Creek Lake is from Exit 8 off Interstate 90.
Take Exit 8 and head south on Old Belle Road, which quickly becomes McGuigan Road. Continue on McGuigan Road for approximately 2.8 miles, where it becomes Tinton Road. Stay on Tinton Road for approximately 9.7 miles, then turn right onto Beaver Creek Road. Continue for about 0.4 miles, then turn left onto Iron Creek Lake Road. Follow Iron Creek Lake Road to the lake. Parking will be on your left once you reach the bottom of the hill.
Plan ahead, carpool if you can, and give yourself a little extra time to arrive and get settled before puck drop!
Iron Creek Lake is a beautiful, picturesque place to spend a winter day, but please take your time and use extra caution getting here.
Tinton Road can be a little rough at times, a little slick at times, and sometimes a little bit of both. It is a Forest Service road and may not be regularly sanded or maintained for winter travel, so please give yourself plenty of time to get to the lake and plan for winter road conditions.
We have alerted the county about the tournament, and they have let us know they will sand icy areas that may develop along Iron Creek Lake Road. That said, winter conditions can change quickly, so please don't assume the road will be clear.
Slow down, leave plenty of space between vehicles, and use an abundance of caution. We'd much rather have you arrive a few minutes late than rush to get here.
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