It's hockey as nature intended: on the pond, outside in the elements, and during the absolute coldest time of year. The U.S. Pond Hockey Championships (USPHC) -- Jan. 20-22, 2006 on Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis -- is America's largest outdoor pond hockey tournament.

The three-day, 128-team, four on four competition for men and women invites outdoor hockey enthusiasts nationwide to participate.

Developed by a group of passionate pond hockey enthusiasts with a sincere appreciation and respect for the purity of the game, USPHC seeks to draw attention to the traditions of outdoor hockey and to support important causes. A percentage of proceeds will benefit the Herb Brooks Foundation and DinoMights Inner City Youth Hockey.

The tournament will feature 25 rinks on Lake Calhoun and a field of 128 teams competing in open, women's, and senior men's divisions. There will be 96 open teams, 16 women's teams, and 16 senior men's teams.

Teams will carry six players, with games being played in a four-on-four, no goalie format. Games will be two 17.5-minute halves with a two-minute intermission. Rinks will be cleared in true pond fashion - shoveled off prior to games by the two teams on deck. Official rules will be no checking, fighting or lifting, and goals must be scored on the attacking side of center ice.

The USPHC will be the largest outdoor hockey tournament of its kind in the U.S., and the first to feature a women's championship division. Each team will be guaranteed three round-robin games with the opportunity to continue on to the medal round for a chance at winning the Pond version of the Stanley Cup - the "Golden Shovel."

The USPHC will be held on the west side of Lake Calhoun, in the heart of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes - home to 5.5 million visitors per year with majestic views of the downtown Minneapolis skyline.

The ice site will feature 24 150 by 75 foot hockey rinks "Calhoun Gardens," a 25th and central rink, will be surrounded by bleachers and lighted for night-time exhibition and notable games.

In addition to tournament play, the weekend will feature nightly exhibition games on the lighted center rink. Featured teams and participants will include NHL, Olympic and NCAA alumni, as well as media and other luminaries.

Friday's play will include opening ceremonies and a celebrity exhibition game. Saturday's events will feature round robin tournament play, with each team guaranteed three games. Sunday's activities will include the championship rounds, awards presentations and closing ceremonies.