25 Doan’s Winter Classic Results

There’s nothing quite like outdoor hockey. The fresh air, the sounds of skates cutting into the ice, and the simple joy of playing the game the way it was meant to be played—outside, surrounded by friends, family, and a shared love for the sport.

This year’s Doan’s Winter Classic delivered all that and more, thanks to some incredible competition, an unmatched rink setup, and, of course, a well-timed transition to food and beer when Mother Nature decided to step in.

The Rink: Built with Passion, Maintained with Dedication

Before a single puck dropped, countless hours of work went into making this tournament possible.

At the heart of it all is Jim Doan, the man behind the rink, who has poured time, effort, and money into creating a top-notch outdoor hockey experience for everyone. From regular maintenance to investing in a new tarp two years ago for over $2,000, Jim’s dedication is the foundation of the Classic.

But no great rink is built alone. Dave Crabill has been a fixture at nearly every work detail, and is our chief nag to recruit skaters:) Mike “Eddie” Edwards and Scott Polisky have also been key in building the rink, shoveling, resurfacing, and ensuring everything is game-ready.

And let’s not forget the extra hands that bring the experience to life:

• Charles Partridge has been a consistent helper, always there when work needs to be done.
• Cooper Goalie on YouTube not only lends a hand but also captures the action with his GoPro, adding another layer of excitement to the event.

With so many contributing their time, effort, and even food and donations to the rink fund, this wasn’t just a tournament—it was a true community event.

The Ultimate Backyard Hockey Setup

The Doan’s Winter Classic isn’t just about the on-ice action—it’s the entire experience.

• The heated barn provides a warm retreat between games, featuring a bathroom, a popcorn machine, and even a Pepsi machine that conveniently dispenses beer (arguably its most important function).
• The rink itself was in fantastic shape for the start of the day, thanks to all the prep work. The conditions held strong until the later games, when a wet snow rolled in—but even that couldn’t dampen the mood.

When you’ve got great ice, great people, and plenty of cold drinks, you know you’re in for a fantastic day.

The Teams & Family Ties

This year’s tournament saw four teams hit the ice, each stacked with talent and plenty of on-ice chemistry. What really stood out, though, was the family connections—three father-son duos laced up together, adding an extra layer of friendly competition to the day.

• Doan’s High Life – Led by the legendary Doan himself, this squad featured Eddie, Crabill, Hall, Polisky, and Doan, looking to dominate with skill and experience.
• Lagermen – Featuring a strong lineup of Pat, Garrettson, Justin, and Topoliski, these guys brought speed, grit, and a no-quit attitude to every shift.
• Porter – With Mike Kavlakian, Dom & Doug Druin, and Gerald Edwards, this team came to play and ultimately took home the title—but more on that later.
• Stout – A team name that got mysteriously changed to DDD in the final results (inside joke, last-minute sponsorship, or a glitch in the hockey matrix?), this squad featured Ian & Mark Rouleau, Maxton & Steve Ragge – and was home to two father-son duos.

The family connections made the games even more intense:

• Doug and Dom battled side by side for Porter.
• Ian and Mark teamed up on Stout.
• Raggs and Maxton also played for Stout, making it the only team with two father-son pairings.

Our “official” photographer for the day, Annabel Ward!
Thanks Annabel!

In the background are Helena Robbins and Jessica Druin. They braved the cold to watch the action.

Game Results: A Tight Battle for the Top

The day started with strong matchups and some great back-and-forth play. The scores tell the story:

✅ Doan’s 4 – Stout 1 – Doan’s High Life came out flying, setting the tone early.

✅ Porter 6 – Lagermen 3 – A high-scoring affair saw Porter take control.

✅ Doan’s 3 – Porter 5 – A crucial win for Porter as they inched closer to the title.

✅ Stout 3 – Lagermen 1 – Stout (or DDD?) bounced back with a solid win.

✅ Doan’s 5 – Lagermen 1 – Another strong showing for Doan’s squad.

✅ Stout 1 – Porter 1 – A defensive battle, ending in a hard-fought tie.

With the snow starting to fall and conditions getting a little less than ideal, the group made the ultimate veteran hockey decision:

“Let’s call it and focus on the food and beer.”

And just like that, the tournament wrapped up in the most perfect way possible—a mix of great competition, good laughs, and a well-timed transition to the real reason we all love these events: the post-game celebration.

With Porter finishing with the best record, they were officially crowned the Doan’s Winter Classic Champions. No trophy was necessary—just the satisfaction of a job well done and maybe an extra round of beers in their honor.

A Perfect Ending to a Classic Tournament

At the end of the day, it wasn’t just about the scores. It was about the shared moments—the battles on the ice, the father-son duos making memories, and the realization that sometimes, the best way to end a tournament is to enjoy the company around you.

A huge thank you to everyone who:
✅ Helped build and maintain the rink.
✅ Played, cheered, and made this event what it was.
✅ Brought food or donated to keep the rink going.

This tournament wouldn’t happen without the dedication and generosity of the players and community. The Doan’s Winter Classic isn’t just a tournament—it’s a tradition, and one that keeps getting better every year.

Until next time—keep your edges sharp, your passes crisp, and always know when it’s time to call it for a beer.

🏒 🍻 See you all next time! 🍻🏒