The mild start to Central New York’s winter led organizers to move this year’s Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic from it’s usually home in the Strathmore neighborhood.
With no ice yet on Hiawatha Lake, organizers Thursday decided to move the one-day hockey tournament to their predetermined alternate site, Clinton Square in downtown Syracuse, from Upper Onondaga Park, three weeks before the Saturday, January 27 event.
Sixteen teams will compete on two rinks on the man-made, open-air ice at Clinton Square.
The schedule begins at 10 a.m. Final round competition starts under the lights at 6 p.m., with the championship match scheduled for 7.
The Clinton Square contingency plan was put in place in November after the 2023 Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic was cancelled due to warm weather which prevented play on Hiawatha Lake.
The presenting sponsor of the 2024 tournament is Vinny Lobdell and Family. Portions of the proceeds from the tournament benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation/Luke’s Army Pediatric Cancer Research Fund.
“Downtown Syracuse will be an exciting place to play with the added benefit of knowing the Clinton Square facility is made for a wide range of winter conditions,” said Tim O’Donnell, tournament director. “We thank our presenting sponsor, Vinny Lobdell and Family, for supporting our community.”
Joining Vinny Lobdell and Family as tournament sponsors are the Syracuse Crunch, syracuse.com/The Post Standard and JSK Enterprises. Partners are the City of Syracuse Department of Parks Recreation and Youth and Greater Strathmore Neighborhood Association (GSNA).
Tournament information is at https://syracusepondhockeyclassic.com/ or by email at syracusepondhockeyclassic@gmail.com.