Aspen’s Pickle n Pucks Event Merges Pickleball and Hockey

Aspen’s Pickle n Pucks Event: Aspen, traditionally celebrated as a hockey stronghold, is now gaining prominence as a pickleball hotspot. The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), headquartered in Dallas, has taken note, bringing a fresh twist to the mountain town. This week, from Tuesday through Thursday, Aspen Meadows Resort is the stage for “Pickle ‘n Pucks,” a distinctive event blending pickleball with hockey.

Event Highlights and Media Coverage

The Carvana PPA Tour’s “Pickle ‘n Pucks” features a series of instructional clinics and a high-profile celebrity pro-am tournament showcasing some of the world’s elite pickleball talent. Jeff Watson, vice president of communications for the PPA Tour, described the event as “kind of like a fantasy camp almost for avid pickleball players,” promising an engaging exhibition.

By Monday evening, the event was nearing a sell-out, with limited in-person viewing options remaining. However, fans can catch the action on ESPN2, with the tournament airing live on Thursday at 8 p.m. local time. This timing coincides with National Pickleball Day, adding an extra layer of celebration.

A Perfect Venue for the PPA Tour

Dave Fleming, lead announcer for the PPA Tour, praised Aspen as an ideal venue, highlighting its scenic beauty and the sport’s growing popularity in Colorado. “It’s going to be a heck of a lot of fun and a great celebration of pickleball,” Fleming said. The picturesque setting of Aspen, combined with the excitement of pickleball, creates a perfect backdrop for this event.

Star-Studded Guest List and Unique Pairings

While the PPA Tour, founded in 2019, has previously featured stars from various sports, this week’s event in Aspen prominently features NHL talent. Notable guests include three-time Stanley Cup champion Justin Williams, Denver native and former NHL all-star Troy Terry, and Kris Draper, a four-time Stanley Cup winner with the Detroit Red Wings.

Tom Dundon, owner of the PPA Tour and the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, ties the hockey and pickleball worlds together, with Williams having won one of his Stanley Cups with Dundon’s team.

Top Pickleball Talent and Ticket Information

In addition to hockey stars, the event also welcomes tennis celebrities Genie Bouchard and John Isner. For pickleball aficionados, the highlight is the chance to see top-ranked players Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters in action. Ben’s brother, Collin Johns, known for his exceptional teaching skills, will also participate. Fleming emphasized the significance of having world-class players involved in clinics, as they typically do not engage in public instruction.

Tickets for the clinics on Tuesday and Wednesday, conducted by professional players, began at $1,000, while courtside tickets for Thursday’s tournament, starting at 3:30 p.m., were priced at $120. Fleming noted that while the pro-am tournament is designed for fun, the competitive nature of the athletes is likely to intensify the proceedings.

The Appeal of Pickleball

Fleming highlighted pickleball’s rapid growth, attributing it to the sport’s accessibility. “Give me four people who are walking around Aspen and have an interest in trying something new and they can be having fun and playing at a confident level in 20 minutes time,” he said. The sport’s ease of learning combined with its challenging mastery makes it an increasingly popular choice.

This event not only brings together hockey and pickleball but also underscores the explosive growth and appeal of pickleball across diverse sports communities.