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Jan
From January 22nd to 26th, the nation’s premier outdoor pond hockey tournament emanated from Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. The Pond Hockey Championship celebrated its 20th anniversary and has become a staple event for the winter months in the Twin Cities. Multiple outdoor rinks adorn the picturesque lake. As stated on the Championships’ site, the event’s goal is to “celebrate the joy of hockey “the way nature intended” each January, with players reuniting with their youth and friends over a weekend when time can stand still and we can all be kids for three days.” Each year, teams from around the world play for the celebrated “Golden Shovel” trophy and the tournament encapsulates the spirit of the hockey community.
While the event is anticipated by many, it’s essential to us at Sophie’s Squad. For several years, Sophie’s Squad has partnered with the Pond Hockey Championships and they have helped support our mission. Along with partnering with us, the Pond Hockey Championships also conducts a gesture we have deep gratitude for. Each year, the #6 rink is reserved for Sophie’s Squad in honor of Sophie Wieland. Sophie wore #6 on her jersey, and having the chance to honor her is crucial whenever we have the opportunity.
Remembering Sophie
Sophie’s Squad was founded in 2021 with the goal of raising awareness for mental health issues and removing the stigma associated with athletes seeking help. The organization was founded in memory of 14-year-old Sophie Wieland, who struggled with mental health. Because of this, honoring Sophie’s legacy will always be at the center of our mission. The U.S. Pond Hockey Championships aids in this mission by saving the #6 rink to honor Sophie each year. We are deeply grateful for that effort, along with all our partners’ efforts in contributing to our mission. We seek to inspire youth athletes, and anyone who may be struggling, with the message that there’s always hope, and there’s always help.
If you want to learn more about Sophie’s story, you can read about it here.
Finally, you can check out some photos from the #6 rink and the event below.
