The sharp sound of skates carving into fresh ice and the crisp chill of a Bowling Green winter day set the stage for the second annual BG Puck Classic. Held at the SoKY Ice Rink in downtown Bowling Green, this year’s event was a thrilling showcase of community, camaraderie, and the love of hockey. On Feb. 1, the rink came alive with the echoes of slap shots and cheers as players and spectators gathered to celebrate a steadily growing sport in Kentucky.
Tony Brown, the passionate founder and organizer of the BG Puck Classic, was at the heart of this event. His mission? To grow the hockey community in Bowling Green while fostering connections between players, fans, and local businesses. “There’s actually a lot of people in and around Bowling Green who played hockey as kids or adults but don’t realize there’s a network of others who share that same passion,” Tony shared. “This event is an opportunity to bring everyone together.”
This year, the BG Puck Classic was bigger and better. With over 50 players competing, the tournament featured teams sponsored by 10 local businesses, showcasing a remarkable collaboration between the hockey community and the Bowling Green area. “Each team is sponsored by a business, and the players are drafted to those teams,” Tony explained. “It’s about building partnerships and highlighting the incredible local businesses we have here.”
What made this event even more remarkable was its regional draw. Players and fans traveled from cities like Nashville, Knoxville, and even Cincinnati to participate and cheer on the teams. Despite its growing reach, the BG Puck Classic remained rooted in its mission to elevate the local community. Tony emphasized, “We want to highlight Bowling Green businesses while creating an event that hockey fans across the region can look forward to.”
For Tony, hockey has always been a passion. Growing up in Bowling Green, he played high school travel hockey in Owensboro and continued his love for the game through adult leagues and tournaments across the country. The BG Puck Classic is more than just a tournament to him; it’s a way to build a strong hockey community in a region where the sport has struggled to find a permanent foothold. “There’s a small group here working to establish a permanent ice rink that could host hockey and other ice sports,” he said. “But to make that happen, we need a strong, united community. That’s what this event is all about.”
The SoKY Ice Rink, which recently celebrated its grand opening, provided the perfect backdrop for this year’s event. The all-day affair was free to attend, making it accessible to families and individuals of all ages. “We want people to come out, even if it’s just for a little while,” Tony said. “It’s a chance to experience the excitement of hockey and maybe inspire the next generation of players.”
Last year’s inaugural event was a resounding success, and this year, Tony expanded on that foundation with bigger ideas and greater community involvement. As the puck dropped on Feb. 1, the BG Puck Classic was a celebration of hockey and a testament to the power of community and the shared love for a sport that brings people together.
With its unique blend of competition, collaboration, and community spirit, this event left a lasting impression on Bowling Green and beyond.
