CREEDE – The freezing temperatures did not deter hockey players from around the US from traveling to Creede over the weekend for the annual Golden Pick Hockey Tournament. 

Burn barrels and bonfires surrounding the ice rinks north of town sent up plumes of smoke and waves of heat that barely kept the chilling temperatures at bay but added to the wonderful winter scene as people and teams gathered to make the best of the long-anticipated weekend.  

Players hit the ice Saturday morning at Silver Ice Park and the fun kicked off with 241 players ready to vie for the top spot of the round-robin based games.  

This event has been a staple in Creede since its inception in 2011 making this the 14th year. Even the famous Freemon’s burgers made an appearance to feed the hungry crowd while 95 games played on in the background. It made for the perfect combination to keep everyone moving and gliding through the rest of the weekend. 

Sunday afternoon the teams had been whittled down to the final two bringing Puck and Rally to the top spot of League A and the Bistro Bucks earning the top spot of League B.  

The tournament brought people in from Colorado, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Kentucky, Minnesota and South Carolina. 

Tommyknocker Tavern and Kip’s Grill gave a huge shout out to the community for all their support and to the teams for braving the cold and having some fun on ice.