It is that time of the year again. Temperatures are dropping to freezing and below zero degrees. Many Minnesotans are dreading this chilly and cold weather.

However, this cold chill has marked the beginning of something else–pond hockey.

“I have a sport court that my family floods every winter,” junior Joey Luedtke said. “When outdoor rinks and ponds freeze over, it’s one of the best times of the year.”

Minnesota is referred to as “The State of Hockey.” With that in mind, outdoor rinks are everywhere around the state. “I have had a rink in my backyard for at least nine or ten years,” senior Pierce Alworth said.  “I can’t imagine winter without playing hockey outside.”

According to the Minneapolis Parks website, there are 47 outdoor rinks at 22 parks citywide.

“Growing up in Minnesota and not having played pond hockey is almost unheard of,” junior Jared Gherardi said. According to the city of Edina website, there are 12 rinks in the city of Edina, alone.

“There is a pond in my neighborhood that I have skated on for as long as I can remember,” senior Maddie Martini said. “I have such great memories of playing on the pond with my friends and family.”