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In this episode, I’ll cover
– How I Evaluate Ice Rinks
– Hockey Arenas Near Me
– Pro Shop At Rink’s
– Listener Email

The following two items gave me the idea to do hockey arena’s as a podcast episode.

1. John called me to sub on his Over 60 team. I couldn’t because I’m still injured.
Asked if he could add me to the Over 55 League on Saturday mornings. This league is playing at a local rink that just re-opened after being re-built.

2. Hiro (Japan): I envy you guys in the US and Canada, because most of the hockey rinks you use are well-equipped and well-kept. Ours are very small buildings and do not have locker rooms or dressing rooms. Some of the rinks do not have bleachers and the space for a penalty box. You guys are lucky.

I’ll be talking about recreational arenas, not NHL rinks

How I Evaluate Ice Rinks

Parking
Front Door
“Good” ICE is important, but not the only thing to consider picking an arena to play at.
Rink Manager = IMPORTANT
Zamboni driver is also very important
Ice fast or slow?
Rink lighting
Friendly staff
Staff trained in CPR
Defibrillator
Seats/Benches for spectators
Locker Rooms
Restrooms: in front lobby are usually nicer than the ones in the locker rooms
Ice Time prices
Schedule = When can your league get ice time? Are they strict on how long you get the ice?
Concession Stand
Lounge = can you bring your own food and drinks?
Vending machines: Pop, water, snacks
Pro Shop = Open during your games? Skate sharpening?
Score Clock

How do you rate the rinks where you play?

Hockey Arenas Near Me

Plymouth Cultural Center (15 min)
This is where we play our league games and DIH
Parking is great
Automatic front doors
Nice lobby with restrooms.
Friendly staff: Front desk, Manager, Zamboni driver
Good ice
Plenty of bench seating for spectators
6 clean locker rooms: 2 are new and 4 are old
20 lockers for players to dress
Shower stalls with hot water
One toilet and one urinal, sink, paper towels
DIH = 9AM – 10:20AM (Get on at 8AM, Extra ice time = no charge)
Lounge: Vending machines, concession stand (never opened when we play)
Coffee (rink gives us) and we supply the donuts.
No Pro Shop
Score Clock: Easy to see. One at each end of the rink.
Closed: May 13 – Aug 5 for Normal Summer Shutdown

I’ve complained when the locker rooms are a little cold. Hiro is right, we are lucky!

Victory Ice Center (15 min)
Re-built, opened March 2018.
40 years ago was a bowling alley – turned into an ice rink. Roof collapsed.
– Heated seating (only 3 rows of benches on the lower level. The upper level has a great view.
Locker rooms were not updated.
Great ice and lighting.
Pro Shop
NOTE: The rink is still under construction, so I’m sure everything will improve.

Mike Modano Ice Arena – 30 min

Novi Ice Arena (45 min)

Farmington Hills Ice Arena (45 min)

Suburban Farmington Hills Ice (45 min)

Eddie Edgar Ice Arena (Renovated) and Devon Aire Ice Arena (both 30 min)

Dearborn Ice Skating Center (30 min)
NOTE: In the podcast I made a mistake and called this Detroit Ice Skating Center

Arctic Edge Ice Arena of Canton (10 min)

Garden City Ice Arena (15 min)

Redford Arena (25 min)

When I was a kid there weren’t any indoor rinks (close by) until I was 15 yr

How many rinks are near you?

Pro Shop At Rink’s

Victory Ice Center
Eddie Edgar Ice Arena (I remembered this after recording the podcast. It is small, with limited items.)
Arctic Edge of Canton – Victory Honda
Redford Arena

Listener Email

Hiro (Osaka, Japan): Hi Jim, Thank you for your latest podcast which as usual, have found interesting, informative and enlightening.
He started wearing his mouth guard again, after hearing my story on how mine saved my teeth when I got my concussion.

David (NY Hockey Guy): Jim, I found your podcast and love it.

Joe in Seattle: Hey Jim, Just wanted to say thanks for putting in the effort to record your experiences in the podcast. I related to more than a few of your stories already.
It was great and overall I must say your production quality is quite good!
Thanks for making the effort.

Wes (don’t know where he’s from)
First email from him.
Hi, Jim,
I am 51 and still play in a drop-in roller hockey league. Came across your website and just wanted to say hello and let you know that I liked reading what you wrote and will be checking out your podcasts for sure.
I found a lot of other good stuff on your webpage and just wanted to let you know I enjoyed it, related to it, and am looking forward to your next bunch of subjects related to old guys like me who still love playing the game.
Many thanks and best wishes to you!
Wes

Emails like these is what keeps me going. I answer all my emails.
Please email me – Thank You!

Ankle Update

I’ve been open skating and my ankle was feeling better. During my last couple skates, my right knee started feeling weird. It doesn’t hurt a lot but feels like something isn’t right.

Orthopedic Surgeon appointment: Dr Plagens (Ortho Surgeon – Wings)
The doctor said I may have a meniscus tear.
He gave me an Anti-inflammatory pills and said if my knee doesn’t feel better in 3 weeks, I need to get an MRI.

Something about me

2004 – Diagnosed with Celiac Disease

I hope you enjoyed this episode.

Remember what’s important: Have fun, try to avoid injuries and make new friends.

Let me know the condition of the arenas where you play.

Please share my podcast with friends and other players.
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Show Notes for this episode are located at AgelessHockey.com/15
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Have fun playing the greatest game on earth!
STAY ON THE ICE