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.
