The Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic found a new home this year in Clinton Square.
The warm winter weather led event organizers to move the location from its original spot in the Strathmore neighborhood three weeks ago.
Organizer Tim O’Donnell said the tournament collaborated with the Syracuse parks department and local businesses to bring the event to Clinton Square.
“The Department of Parks and Recreation, along with our volunteers, have been incredible,” said O’Donnell. “This has never been done before and we’ve been learning together. They’ve been so great and we couldn’t have done it without them and the guys down at the rink.”
The Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic was first hosted in 2020 on Hiawatha Lake, but was canceled last year due to thin ice. With temperatures hovering around 35 degrees on Saturday, moving the 2024 tournament downtown proved to be a smart move.
Filled with families, friends, local vendors and music, Clinton Square looked lively as two games played out simultaneously. The event’s central location drew passersby, curious to see what was happening in the square. People lined up against the rink, sipping on hot chocolate or beer as they cheered on the players.
Kim and Mark Bono, a Syracuse couple, were looking for something fun to do on Saturday. Avid fans of playoff hockey, they had previously heard of the tournament when it was hosted in the Strathmore neighborhood but decided to come down for the first time as they were running errands nearby.
“Look at the people it brings out,” said Kim Bono, watching the crowd. “There’s a lot of families down here. A lot of little kids watching and older hockey players who are still active. It’s great to watch and the event brings people downtown.”
For others, the Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic is a yearly tradition. Josh Fruscello is a Syracuse native but has lived in Washington D.C. for the past 20 years. He flies up every year to help out as a tournament volunteer, keeping scores of…
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