SoKY’s Choice: Perfect Weather for Third Annual Bowling Green Puck Classic

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – During the course of this winter storm, many sporting events have seen schedules change because of the challenges that come with snow and ice, but this past weekend those same elements helped make one tournament feel more at home.

“ Are we even in Kentucky right now? It’s unbelievable,” 2026 BG Puck Classic participant Henry Clayton said. “I mean, who’d even thought it was going to get cold enough to be out here, because normally it’s pretty warm for ice out here.”

“You gotta be cold to play hockey. You know, like you’re in an arena, it’s cold. So, when you’re outside and you’re playing in an atmosphere that normally isn’t this cold, this is a bonus,” 2026 BG Puck Classic participant Stephen Dostal said. “It makes for perfect weather to play puck hockey.”

Kentucky’s only outdoor pond hockey tournament went down on Saturday, with 60 players from in-state, out-of-state, and even out-of-the-country competing for the title of champion.

The sport is only seen sparingly throughout the Bluegrass at the moment, making the time spent on the natural ice even more special for those involved.

“It really feels like it belongs here,” 2026 BG Puck Classic participant Keeno Keys said. “I feel like hockey does belong in Bowling Green. The weather definitely fits into what it looks like out here.”

“I’m very passionate about two things, I’m passionate about Kentucky and hockey, and I figured I could bring these together,” 2026 BG Puck Classic event organizer Tony Brown said. “I’ve got people from all over that are coming here and they’re like, ‘I didn’t know you could do hockey in Kentucky,’ and here we are.”

Hockey is a game where you can win or lose on the ice, but just like any other sport, it builds skills and teaches lessons that you can use every day.

“I believe that if you succeed in hockey, you could succeed in anything in life,” Steve Carlson, famous actor from the 1977 film ‘Slap Shot’ said.

“It’s a very demanding game, very disciplined game, and you get a lot out of it. You look around here, these guys, they want to win, they want to play, they want to score, but it’s a comradery with their friends and having fun playing this game of hockey, which is one of the greatest sports of all time,” Carlson said.

Part of the proceeds are set to benefit youth hockey leagues across the area with sights set on growing the game even more in the future, which is meaningful for the local athletes taking in the 2026 Puck Classic.

“Growing up here, I never thought I’d see this,” 2026 BG Puck Classic participant Clark Feckter said. “Moving away for a few years and getting to come back and all of a sudden this is here and the opportunity, it’s just something I never thought I’d see. It’s really unique and special to kind of be able to do this right here in the heart of Bowling Green”