Puck drops in Windsor, N.S., for the first time in five years, helps ‘bring a community together’

The Long Pond Heritage Hockey Classic in Windsor, N.S., was on track to reach its fundraising goal to support the local community. (Callum Smith/CTV News)

For the first time since the pandemic, the Long Pond Heritage Hockey Classic returned to the community of Windsor, N.S., known as ‘the birthplace of hockey.’

Ten teams entered this year, taking to the ice on the Dill Family Farm property pond.

The pandemic and poor ice conditions kept the game off the ice for the last five years, so organizers appreciate the fact that the game can return, thanks to volunteer support and donations.

“Everybody’s been so supportive,” says Krista Lloy, the president of the Windsor Hockey Heritage Society. “It really means a lot and it just shows how hockey can bring a community together – and it certainly shows that today.”

As is tradition with the Long Pond Heritage Hockey Classic, a few former NHLers were among those hitting the ice, including Rich and Ron Sutter, Brian Skrudland and Bernie Nicholls.

Fiona Smith-Bell, a Canadian Olympic medalist also laced up the skates.

“To be able to wear this jersey is something pretty special,” she told CTV News. “And then to see some of the younger players, especially like the Timbits [youth players] that are out here right now and the young girls with ponytails. We didn’t have the easiest road as female players coming into the game. But you know what? It’s just a really special moment to be here and to see all the people supporting the community.”

With no Zamboni, the tournament was supported with help from the local fire department flooding the ice and the Avon View High School hockey team helped shovel off the excess snow between games.

The tournament is on track to hit its $10,000 fundraising goal.

“The funds from this tournament that [are] raised,” says Lloy, “we use [them] to operate our hockey heritage museum, but we also support a lot of local hockey here.”

That comes in the form of financial contributions to minor hockey and a scholarship for the high school.

Wanda White, 65, joined the action and paid tribute to her late father by way of supporting the Birthplace of Hockey Museum.

“[Pond hockey] is awesome,” she says. “We used to come up here for the drive and see it and dad had a lot of hockey paraphernalia, which I’m donating on behalf of our family.”

With storied history all around the property, and a lot of time to prepare for a tournament of this magnitude, it’s a thrill to see it all pay off for the property owner.

“It was very heartwarming after five years to see the amount of people here today and the participation,” says Danny Dill, the property owner. “It’s definitely a cold day, but it’s winter in Canada and what do you expect? And it’s outdoor hockey. And I think everybody really enjoyed it.”

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