The NHL Without a Map team and new prominent reinforcements will also take part. The extension of the event is met with joy at Ruka. Next year, the tournament will celebrate its 10th anniversary.
The World's Largest Pond Hockey Tournament at Ruka Attracts a Record 300 Teams
The pond hockey event at Ruka will continue under a new three-year agreement, attracting a record-breaking 300 teams in January 2025.
Ruka Pond Hockey can now be officially titled the world's largest, as 300 teams will hit the ice for the first time this week.
– We managed to add enough rinks to accommodate 300 teams. There’s even more interest than we can currently handle, producer Jesse Koivurova shares enthusiastically.
The event has secured its place even among renowned players. The NHL Without a Map team has been part of the tournament since its inception in 2016.
– This in itself speaks volumes about the event. We keep coming back year after year. The main reasons are the incredible atmosphere and the strong sense of community at Pond Hockey. During the tournament, the fell is filled with like-minded people who have all come to enjoy the event. Some may even come for the games, but NHL Without a Map is always here to soak in the vibe, meet old friends, make new ones, and of course, entertain the crowd during our games, says NHL Without a Map player and GM Juhani Putkonen.
– Over the years, a core group of players has formed the backbone of the NHL Without a Map team. In addition, the team’s brilliant GM recruits high-profile "reinforcements" to join. This year’s lineup includes Finnish baseball legend Toni Kohonen. Returning to the team after a few years are Ville Uusitalo, captain of the Ässät championship team, and Juhani Koskinen, known from TV and social media. This is truly a feel-good event – if you’re not smiling and laughing all weekend here, then you won’t be anywhere! Putkonen adds.
Ruka-Kuusamo Tourism has signed a new three-year agreement with event producer Epic Events to ensure the continuation of the event.
– We want the event to remain at Ruka in the future, and I’m very pleased that a three-year extension has been secured, comments Niina Kukka, Event Manager at Ruka-Kuusamo Tourism.
Pond hockey will take place at Ruka from January 16–18, 2025. Next year, Pond Hockey celebrates its 10th anniversary at Ruka.
More information:
Ruka Pond Hockey Tournament
Jesse Koivurova, Producer, Epic Events, +358 50 346 4564, jesse@tdproductions.fi
Niina Kukka, Event Manager, Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association, +358 40 772 8213, niina.kukka@rukakuusamo.fi