Pond Hockey Tournament Bangor Breakfast Rotary donates proceeds to Camp Capella By Katy England edge staff writer kengland@themaineedge.com BANGOR – Winter is upon us and there are two ways to deal with the cold: whine about it or get outside and play. Now there's a great reason to strap on your skates and brave the cool Maine air: At the 2010 Paul Bunyan Pond Hockey Tournament in Bass Park. Jan. 30 and 31, you have the chance to square off against other hockey enthusiasts, all for an amazing cause. Proceeds are being donated to Camp CaPella, a recreational camp from children and adults with disabilities. "[The Paul Bunyan Hockey Tournament] is an all around winning event," said Dana Mosher. "It's fun for hockey players, it's a great spectator sport, it will fill up Bass Park and send kids to Camp CaPella." Camp CaPella is one of only two camps in Maine that allow full access to children and adults with disabilities. It allows them to participate in many activities that others take for granted, including swimming, fishing, nature walks and more. Mosher said that the money the Bangor Breakfast Rotary is raising with the tournament will continue to help children attend camp, as they depend on the support of community to keep functioning. "We don't get state or federal money. Camp CaPella has to raise every dime to run every year," he said. "This kind of thing sends kids to Camp CaPella." The cost to register a team is $300, and McPike said that with the help of corporate sponsors such as Hollywood Slots, all the money that comes from the team registration is going straight to Camp Capella. Face off Event Organizer Ryan McPike said that the work on the ice rinks in Bass Park has begun and people may already be skating in them. They have flooded rinks in the center of the race track. The teams can be made up from four to six players and there is no goalie. It's playground rules with a strict no-roughhousing policy. But as millions of fans will attest, hockey isn't just fun for the players – it's also fun to watch. There will be plenty of warm yummy food, hot drinks and cold beverages on hand for spectators and for teams that are waiting to play (though you may want to lay off the beer until after you play). This is something that will be fun for everyone involved, whether you're cutting up the ice with your skates or cheering on your favorite team. It's free to watch, so bring your friends! Bangor Area Sled Hogs taking the rink The Bangor Area Sled Hogs are one of the many teams that are participating in the Tournament. The team, which has been playing hockey for about six years, is made up of area men who have physical disabilities and a love for the game. "I enjoy the independence, getting out with people in a similar situation that you are in," said Keith Skeffington, a Sled Hog from Bangor. "You get out of your wheelchair and have fun and remember what it's like playing sports." A challenge has been issued: The Bangor Area Sled Hogs are willing to face off against any challenger with one caveat – you skate with their equipment. When I arrived for a press conference on Jan. 14, they invited me on the ice to try out the sleds. I was given two small-sized hockey stick with metal barbs on the end that served a dual purpose of propulsion and puck handling. Then suddenly I was doing sprints up and down the ice at Sawyer Arena, and not keeping up very well. I could do everything I needed to do (move forward, turn, handle a puck) – but in hockey, you need to be able to do most of those things simultaneously. Pair that with the fact that I've never played hockey in my life, and you start feeling for the guys who were gracious enough to have me on their team for the short duration I could keep my breath on the ice. "I think we're going to do pretty well," Skeffington said. "It's all about fun in the good name of Camp CaPella. It doesn't matter who wins. Camp CaPella is going to be winning." Suit up There is still plenty of time to get your team registered for this event. McPike said that approximately 16 teams had confirmed as of Jan. 14, but he had other teams waiting for confirmation. He expects that there will be at least 25 or 30 teams that participate. McPike is hoping to see more teams sign up in the 18 to 20 year old division (yes, we're talking to you Husson, University of Maine and Eastern Maine Community College). Though he has teams signed up, the more the merrier. After all, you don't want to just play a few games and be finished for the Tourney – you want to fight for glory and a good cause. Teams are encouraged to think up amusing and clever names. McPike's team name is the Bar Stool All Stars, and other teams include DNR in the women's division, The Grey Bears and Creased Lightning in the open divisions. The costs for running the tournament have largely been covered by the sponsors of the event, including Hollywood Slots, Bangor Breakfast Rotary, Dysarts, WEEI Bangor Sports Radio, Pulse Marketing Links Website Design and Online Marketing and The Maine Edge. "The Tournament is completely covered. Camp CaPella will get a decent amount of money for a first-year fund raiser," said McPike. He mentioned that that amount of money will go up with each team that registers – so get to it. The cost for registering a team is $300, which if you get a team of six is only $50 per person. For more information about the Paul Bunyan Hockey Tournament, visit www.pbhockey.com or follow them on Facebook. You can register your team online, become a sponsor or contact the organizers for more information on how to help out either through volunteering or direct donations.