For the last 15 winters, the small, north-western community of Plaster Rock, N.B. drops the puck over 400 times for the annual World Pond Hockey Championships, and it's become a hit worldwide.

Over 120 teams are competing from around the world, just to play where the game began.

New Brunswick’s unpredictable weather, especially this week, hasn't stopped the thousands of people from traveling to the area this weekend, some to play, lots to watch.

Players from the U.S. state of Rhode Island drove to Plaster Rock in an RV with their teammates.

“It was supposed to be an 11 hour drive but it turned out to be a 24 hour drive, through the snow, through a storm, but we got here, and you know it's always worth it,” says James Lang.

“Most people are going south!” says Bryan White.

There are a lot of skill levels on the ice, young and old, the inexperienced, and the very experienced.

Competitor Gerry ‘Red’ Ouellette played professional hockey for 12 years, including a stint with the Boston Bruins where he came face to face with Gordie Howe.

"He was known to have pretty good elbows,” says Ouellette. “I felt an elbow right between the eyes in the corner; I still believe he could have killed me if he'd have really rammed me. I come off the boards and I looked straight at him. He had that smirk on his face and said, ‘Welcome to the league kid.’"

Ouellette says it's touching to see so many people out with a shared love of the game.

“Every time I come here and see the people enjoying themselves, I say ‘This is what it's all about.’”

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Laura Brown