CREEDE — Creede once again drew hockey players from around the region to Silver Ice Park above town ready to show off their skills on the ice. People traveled from as far as the Front Range for a weekend of good old-fashioned pond hockey at the Golden Pick Hockey Tournament.

With bright, clear blue skies shining over the two ice ponds, people gathered around warm fire pits, listened to groovy good tunes with friends while several hockey teams vied for the top spot in two divisions. The ponds were packed with people playing on the ice and cheering in the stands.

The Golden Pick Hockey Tournament was the brainchild of Kip Nagy, owner of Kip’s Grill, and Brian Brittain, owner of Tommyknocker Tavern in Creede. Since its inception in 2007, the tournament has brought hockey players to the small mountain town to play at just over 9,000 feet in elevation. The three-on-three format allows each team to play two to three games apiece.

This year more than eight teams played for the top spot and hundreds of visitors watched. The Most Valuable Player award went to Ken Fisher and the tournament was held in memory of long-time helper and skater Chris Brickey. 

Jabronis, a team from Durango, took the top spot in the Level One category with the Kip A Team coming in second. For Level Two, Ice Tree Dizzy Batters earned first place with Freezing my Kuzensov finishing second.