Wayne Gretzky visits World Pond Hockey Championship in New Brunswick

Shawn McKenzie reports from Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, about how even Wayne Gretzky is in awe of the Budweiser Red Light at the World Pond Hockey Championships.

The World Pond Hockey Championships are being hosted this weekend in Plaster Rock, N.B., and the event has a special guest.

Wayne Gretzky is on hand as 120 teams take part in a 4-on-4 round robin, with 40 teams playing simultaneously. Each rink is approximately 75’ x 150’ and there are 20 rinks in all, neatly built on Roulston Lake. It’s an outdoor hockey fan’s dream.

Over the four-day event, more than 8,000 spectators are anticipated to be in attendance and the teams are represented by every Canadian province and territory, plus 35 American states and 15 countries world wide.

And remember that 20-foot Budweiser goal lamp that’s headed to the “top of the world” for the World Cup? The one that gave Don Cherry “chills”? It’s there too, for a special reason.

gretznameplate

Like the Stanley Cup is wrapped with the name of past champions, the Budweiser goal lamp will be wrapped with engraved nameplates of hockey fans from across Canada. Fittingly, Gretzky’s was the first band added to the light, which will begin its journey across the country before ending up in its final destination later this year.

Fans can register their names at Budweiser.ca for a chance to be included in this project.

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