CONCORD – Merrimack County Savings Bank is proud to support the 1883 Black Ice Pond Hockey Championship in the city where it all began.

From Feb. 7-9, White Park in Concord will be transformed into eight rinks for three days of old-school pond hockey.

“The Black Ice Tournament not only pays tribute to the sport’s historic roots, it also brings the community together,” said bank President Linda Lorden. “Aside from the annual tournament, the Black Ice Hockey Association is dedicated to expanding recreational opportunities throughout Concord.”

The Black Ice Pond Hockey Championship hosts 70 teams and close to 600 hockey players from across New England. This year’s tournament will kick off on Friday with family-friendly activities scheduled throughout the weekend.

“We’re very hopeful that the weather will cooperate this year,” said tournament founder Christopher Brown. “There’s just something about having the tournament outdoors that you can’t get inside a closed rink. We want everyone to get outside, get some fresh air and experience hockey the way it used to be played.”

This year, in addition to watching the hockey tournament, observers can enjoy concessions by Stacy’s Grill, heated spectator tents, public skating, ice sculptures, bonfires, and even fireworks! The Merrimack Lodge, a skate house sponsored by The Merrimack in 2019, will also be open. For the complete schedule of events, visit blackicepondhockey.com/schedule/.

The 1883 Black Ice Hockey Association is a non-profit organization chartered in New Hampshire in 2010 to promote and support pond hockey, ice skating opportunities, recreational activities, and other worthy causes in the Concord community while honoring the city’s rich hockey heritage. Over the years, the Association has donated more than $650,000 toward projects and causes that align with the organization’s mission.