2019 Doan’s Winter Classic

Gears Beer Hockey is proud to sponsor Doan’s Winter Classic!

This year Jim Doan added an indoor bathroom to the barn. So we have a popcorn machine, NHL Network on TV and indoor plumbing!

Our first year we had everyone bring a dish to pass and it got expensive for some and we had way too much food. The plan is to have about 24 skaters and four goalies which works well for the barn size. We will have cases of beer and food on hand. The suggested menu is pasta, wings, salad, and breadsticks.

The teams are drafted evenly from four categories, ABCD. Players are ranked and randomly distributed into teams. The traditional team names are Doan’s High Life, Team Porter, Lagermen and Stout Bros. (beer-themed of course)

So, to confirm your player spot we ask a small donation of $15 to skate. Proceeds cover the expenses of the tournament.

Check in to form teams by 10 am. Games start at 11 am.
Two 5 min run time periods per game. Up to six per drafted team. Three on three play. Recruit goalies!

With your confirmed donation, you will get a special coupon code to save money on a shirt or hoodie.

2018 Doan’s Winter Classic Pics

Pic of the rink.

2018 Doan’s Winter Classic

Doan’s Winter Classic

Sixteen skaters and four goalies will gather Saturday morning for a day of outdoor ice hockey, a few brews and good fellowship.

Jim and Stephanie are gracious enough to let this motley crew of players hang out in their barn for the day and tear up the ice.

The first project is to sort out and rank the players. We will have four even teams with four skaters formed and start play at 1:30 pm Sharp. Three on three play. Each team plays each other once, then a finals game to determine the tournament champs. Teams and schedule plan is drawn at random from those present around 1 pm.

Team Porter

Stout Bros

Doan’s High LIfe

Lagermen

Goalies:

Each player can purchase a Doan’s Winter Classic t-shirt for $20. Bring your own drinks and grub. Those with the talent, time and ambition are welcome to bring a dish to pass.

Doan's Winter Classic Invitational poster

Click the image below to view the full photo gallery on Flickr.

Great Skate Last Night! Salsa was a hit.

A Big Thanks!

With Greg Weingarden and Chuck Irwin in net and skaters: Andrew Wright, Bob Gidcumb, Brian Mullin, Conner Bigelow, Darren Newton, Dwight Hicks, Jeff Rouse, Jim Doan, John Finn, Keith Kiernicki, Logan Rothley, Mark Vansaw, nicholas gilbert, Patrick Nord, Reed Clark, Scott Poliskey, Simpson, Tony Hall.

Thanks for skating last night. Special thanks to Jeff Rouse and John Finn for bringing guests. As long as we can get enough skaters, we will skate on Fridays.

Fridays are special skates for the after party in Skaters Bar. This Friday was exceptional as I brought lots of home made salsa, guacamole and chips to wash down with a few beers. Skaters Bar was packed with our skaters and GFHA coaches who hung out after a practice.

Wish I had taken some pics, but I was too busy chowing on the salsa and reliving the better moments of the skate.

I’ll set up a link for this coming Friday the 12th. I have a 7am flight to Denver on Saturday, so I won’t be hanging out this week! Need some beauty rest!

We are just a few short weeks away from the 3 on 3 tournament. If you are putting a team together, now is the time to do it. At least register the team, payment can be dealt with at registration. I’ll share my video chalk talk of the way a 3 on 3 game works.

Flint Ice Hockey Scene

Fun for every skill level!

Dave Crabill

Organizing Hockey since 1976!

I have to publicly thank Terry Jones for getting me back on ice skates after a long lapse. From the mid 90’s through to 2011 my skates were idle. The still don’t move very fast, but man I’m having fun!

After a heart attack in 2007 I knew that I needed to get into better shape and started bike riding more, but not a lot. Now I’m skating a few nights a week and while I’m still heavy, I feel 1,000 percent better. My goal is to skate as long as Tom Huss has been skating, still going strong at 72!

I hope you get as much enjoyment out of the fellowship with other hockey players and the quality of the play as I do. Over the summer the skates get very mixed up as far as skill levels. Last night we had a Federal Hockey League player, Nate tearing up the ice against a national champion lacrosse player, Jordi on the opposing team to balance things out. A week ago Skofield (sic) from the European Hockey League was showing us some moves. Fun to watch these talented athletes compete and take one of those sweet passes that they send your way!

Just a few more weeks until we gear up for winter league play. Come out and skate on a Monday or Wednesday night to get your gears loosened up!

The coolest sport around!

Jim Doan

Ice Hockey Leagues used to be just for rinks to organize and run. Since I started the EHL at Crystal Fieldhouse last year, two more leagues have now developed for local skaters. Drake MaMacKenzie started a semi checking Union Hockey League and the Metropolitan Hockey League is spinning off from the UHL amid a bunch of controversy and chaos – at least from my perspective.

Controversy is to be expected when you get a group of people together. We had some drama at the close of last season do to some bad decisions on a variety of peoples part, including myself. All learning experiences and thankfully, most are willing to learn from mistakes and commit to making things better.

Soon it will be time to organize teams for the winter. Consider your options! The EHL offers a season long schedule in advance, prize money and mobile app to stay on top of stats and schedules. Only room for two more teams, first come first serve!

Want to get involved in our drop in skates or league play?
Use the form below to let me know!