EVENT PROMO: Scenes from the 2025 Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic at Clinton Square, Jan. 25, 2025. Video by Mike Roy.
2026 news coverage.
PRESS RELEASE
SYRACUSE POND HOCKEY CLASSIC PRESENTED BY VINNY LOBDELL AND FAMILY ANNOUNCES 2026 TOURNAMENT BRACKET
One day, three-on-three outdoor tournament in Clinton Square on Sat., Jan. 24 will benefit We Rise Above the Streets and Tillie’s Touch
Syracuse, N.Y. -- The bracket is set for the 2026 Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic Presented by VInny Lobdell and Family, a one-day outdoor hockey tournament in downtown Syracuse on Saturday, January 24. 16 teams from across the Central New York region will begin round robin play at 10 a.m. culminating in final round competition under the lights in historic Clinton Square at 6 p.m.
The three-on-three competition will be played following pond hockey rules on two reduced-size rinks on the Clinton Square ice. All teams will compete in opening round action by 12:15 p.m.:
The full tournament bracket is at Schedule — syracuse pond hockey classic. The championship game is scheduled to begin at approximately 7 p.m.
Vinny Lobdell and Family Return as Presenting Sponsor
Vinny Lobdell and Family return to the Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic as presenting sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. The Lobdell family supports many programs and causes that contribute to positive change in communities in Syracuse and Central New York and other parts of the nation.
This year’s tournament will feature the “Harvey’s Garden Scoreboard,” a giant video screen providing game scores and updates on the tournament bracket throughout the day. The scoreboard is made possible by Harvey’s Garden, a beer hall and food truck park at 1200 E. Water St., Syracuse.
In addition to Harvey’s Garden, 1911 Established, the Saltine Warrior, New York State Carpenters Local 277, Visit Syracuse, and the Syracuse Cultural Festivals Fund funded by the City of Syracuse are official tournament sponsors. Partners are the City of Syracuse Department of Parks Recreation and Youth Programs and Greater Strathmore Neighborhood Association (GSNA). Portions of the proceeds from the tournament benefit We Rise Above the Streets Recovery Outreach and Tillie’s Touch youth sports programs.
Tournament merchandise, including the official 2026 Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic knit winter hat, is athttps://syracusepondhockeyclassic.com/.
The Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic Presented by VInny Lobdell and Family was founded on Hiawatha Lake in Upper Onondaga Park in 2020. It moved to Clinton Square in 2024 when ice hadn’t formed on Hiawatha Lake. The Downtown site worked well for players, fans and organizers and is now the permanent home for the tournament.
For more information: Tim O’Donnell | Tournament Director | (315)569-3788 | syracusepondhockeyclassic@gmail.com.
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2025 news coverage.
2024 news coverage.
2023 news coverage.
News coverage from the 2nd Annual SPHC event in 2022 (below).
Third Assist's Take: There's always something to be said for the local tournament. It's not as though outsiders are not invited- they're welcomed- but playing in the heart of your hometown in a local neighborhood has its own feel that clearly cannot be replicated. With connections to the local community through its players, vendors, and local pro team the Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic is quickly becoming the tournament to play at in Central NY.
https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/syracuse-pond-hockey-tournament-makes-a-return/
Syracuse, NY / December 1, 2021 - Tim O’Donnell, SPHC Event Director speaks to the media during a press conference at Upper Onondaga Lake Park Wednesday morning to announce the 2nd Annual Syracuse Pond Hockey tournament. The event, scheduled for Saturday January 29, 2022 on Hiawatha Lake in Strathmore, will feature 16 teams facing off in an all-day round-robin winner-takes-all tournament. A portion of proceeds raised from this event will be donated to St. Baldrick’s Foundation / Luke’s Army Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. (Photo by Mike Roy)
Syracuse, NY / December 1, 2021 - Event sponsor Vance Lederman from the Syracuse Crunch speaks during a press conference at Upper Onondaga Lake Park Wednesday morning to announce the team’s support of the 2nd Annual Syracuse Pond Hockey tournament. The event, scheduled for Saturday January 29, 2022 on Hiawatha Lake in Strathmore, will feature 16 teams facing off in an all-day round-robin winner-takes-all tournament. A portion of proceeds raised from this event will be donated to St. Baldrick’s Foundation / Luke’s Army Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. (Photo by Mike Roy)
Syracuse, NY / December 1, 2021 - (From left) Brian Gehm, Luke’s Syracuse Army Pediatric Cancer Research Fund/St. Baldrick’s, Tim O’Donnell, SPHC Event Director, Ben Walsh, Syracuse Mayor, Vance Lederman, CFO Syracuse Crunch and Julie LaFave, Parks and Recreation commission, City of Syracuse. - City officials, sponsors and event committee members held a press conference with the media at Upper Onondaga Lake Park Wednesday morning to announce the 2nd Annual Syracuse Pond Hockey tournament. The event, scheduled for Saturday January 29, 2022 on Hiawatha Lake in Strathmore, will feature 16 teams facing off in an all-day round-robin winner-takes-all tournament. A portion of proceeds raised from this event will be donated to St. Baldrick’s Foundation / Luke’s Army Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. (Photo by Mike Roy)
News coverage from the 1st Annual SPHC event in 2020 (below).
