Major sponsorship for Kinsmen Canadian Pond Hockey Championship

The medal winning teams from last year's tournament will all be back to defend their titles.

The Kinsmen Club of Bolton has announced that Molson Breweries and Crabby Joe's have signed on as sponsors for the Kinsmen Canadian Pond Hockey Championship tournament, slated for the Albion Conservation Area Family Day weekend (Feb. 16 and 17).

Molson and Crabby Joe's will be active participants in the event, manning the rinkside beer tent with Crabby Joe's Bolton staff and The Molson Girls. The cosponsors will also host a party for the participants at Crabby Joe's in Bolton on the Saturday evening after play, with prizes, giveaways and entertainment.

This will be the second year for the tournament, with many more teams expected to participate than last year and more sheets of ice to be groomed. Along with others, all the finals winners from last year have registered and hockeytoronto.com, a Toronto based hockey enthusiasts' Web site, is expect to send several teams.

Kinsmen are optimistic for excellent ice conditions this year. The recent thaw was actually helpful, organizers report, since it cleared the heavy snow and left a solid ice base now that winter cold has returned. Kinsmen also report there are still openings for teams, but they emphasize the need for teams to register soon or the opportunity will be gone.

Teams can now register at Crabby Joe's in Bolton or go on-line at canadianpondhockey.com