Dimensions of Rink

ThunderStorm22 · Post by **ThunderStorm22** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:42 pm

I wanted to ask and get some additional input regarding 'Subject'. In the USA Hockey Official Rules of Ice Hockey it strongly recommends as nearly as possible the dimensions of the rink be 200 feet long and 100 feet wide. In effect, the size of the International or Olympic rink. However, it seems to me that whenever a new arena is built that the new sheet of ice is 200 x 85, the majority of the time anyway. It seems that the majority of youth arenas are 200 x 85. It is more common to see the larger ice sheet in D1 colleges. It seemed like the trend in college was the larger sheet then Denver and North Dakota go and build new facilities with 200 x 85. I personally like the 200 x 100! I think it is much better for the game. What do the rest of you think?

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 1:56 pm

I would also much rather prefer the 200 x 100. It opens the game up and aids long passing, breakaways, and overall more skill is on display. North Dakota has made the argument that the smaller rink gets players 'NHL Ready', and has used that as a recruiting pitch. High school kids and younger may get worn down on the big sheet, which is definitely a cause for concern. But I think that if the big sheet were introduced at a young age the kids could develop better endurance and possibly better skills.

2AhockeyOldTimer · Post by **2AhockeyOldTimer** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:08 pm

It never really mattered what size ice I played on. Where my problem lies is the inconsistency of the size of the ice sheets. Take Duluth, they don't believe in Olympic or NHL sized ice. They believe in Duluth sized ice. Elk River (I think) has an Olympic sheet that is just a big square..can not be close to proper Olympic dimensions. St Cloud Tech moved to the bigger ice sheet when they moved from the MAC to SCSU this year. Now the arena is way bigger and there is no atmosphere at their games. I would probably rather watch a high school game on the NHL sized ice...the players arent as fast as college/pro players and on big ice it seems more snails paced. If they have to play on the big ice, they ALL have to be able to move. Taylor Mattson-The Next Non-Mr. Hockey

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:24 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>I would probably rather watch a high school game on the NHL sized ice...the players arent as fast as college/pro players and on big ice it seems more snails paced. If they have to play on the big ice, they ALL have to be able to move. <hr></blockquote> That's a good point. On the big sheet in high school, the fast players with great puck skills would dominate more than they already do, and it could end up being a game where they carry the puck up and down the ice. I agree that high school games should probably stick to the smaller sheet. After that, I would love to see the move to a bigger sheet. These players are elite hockey players and should have no problem skating around on the larger sheet. Personally I would love all college and pro rinks to be on the large sheet.

2AhockeyOldTimer · Post by **2AhockeyOldTimer** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:07 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>Personally I would love all college and pro rinks to be on the large sheet.<hr></blockquote> I couldn't agree more. I love watching college hockey and the olympics this year were amazing. Taylor Mattson-The Next Non-Mr. Hockey

Knowlze · Post by **Knowlze** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 8:49 am

There isn't much exciting about open ice skating. Hockey is to be played on an 85' wide rink where players more often have to come up with a move(s) to get around players rather than speed around. Smaller rinks tend to promote creativity to get time and space. Players reactions to loss of time and space it what is interesting and exciting about hockey, not players taking advantage of more open ice given to them on the wider sheet. That reminds me,....I don't think any HS games should be played at Marriucci, especially such important games as the Section 5AA and 6AA Championships. It is much different playing the semi finals at BIG or Breamar, then playing the Championship at the huge Marriucci sheet. Same conditions for both teams, I know, but it is an unnecessary variable. Olympic sheets are for figure skating, NHL size rinks are for hockey! Edited by: <A HREF=http://p100.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... Knowlze</A> at: 3/31/06 9:02 am

Nostalgic Nerd · Post by **Nostalgic Nerd** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:05 am

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>That's a good point. On the big sheet in high school, the fast players with great puck skills would dominate more than they already do, and it could end up being a game where they carry the puck up and down the ice.<hr></blockquote> Pardon, but good. Hockey's #1 emphasis is skating. Why I should cater to players that cannot stop the pure skater/speed burner, I'm not understanding. "Dream as if you'll live forever; Live as if you'll die today." --James Dean

Knowlze · Post by **Knowlze** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:26 am

Skating may be over emphasized. Don't get me wrong, because skating is very important. However, the best players have good hands and can utilize there stick to pass, puck handle and score, especially in tight quarters with little time. That's hockey. The great players can also do these at their top speed. Elite players can also do this at top speed, and were also blessed with a high top speed. There is no need to cater to speed, because speed is a natural advantage. However, when time and space is taken away, then we you see who is the better hockey player. That is why the game is better on the smaller rink. If you want to watch speed skating go to the oval. If you want to see hockey, watch on the NHL size rink.

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:10 am

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>Pardon, but good. Hockey's #1 emphasis is skating. Why I should cater to players that cannot stop the pure skater/speed burner, I'm not understanding. <hr></blockquote> I'm referring more to younger levels. I agree, skating is # 1 in hockey. But at youth levels, it's still important to develop skills as a teammate and in all aspects of the game. As you get into high school, this obviously becomes less of a concern.

Renegade Ram · Post by **Renegade Ram** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 3:49 pm

Knowlze, your joking on all your posts aren't you? Skating overemphasized? Rather watch a game on an 85' because of the creativity? I bet you played in the cities where skating wasn't emphasized back in the day. SKATING is the one skill that separates the average player from the good player and the good player from the great player. Lots of guys can stick handle or shoot. I know he's fictional but a prime example is Happy Gilmore..great shot couldn't stand up. Who would you rather have on your wing a guy that can blast down the ice can catch and give a pass or a guy like Happy....<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smokin.gif ALT=":smokin">

Falling Out Of Favor · Wed Apr 05, 2006 4:55 pm

i dont want to be a devil's advocate here but i have to be. anywhere in the world - home to first base is 90 feet. anywhere in the world, a basketball court is the same size, same goes with bowling, football, soccer, etc... why dont the several hockey leagues come together and decide on a set size and make that the size, period. ?

ThunderStorm22 · Post by **ThunderStorm22** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:20 pm

Yes, Falling Out Of Favor, I agree! I would like to see a 'Standard' Ice Hockey rink size world wide and I would like to see that size be the International or Olympic size rink. Outside Canada and the USA I have never seen an size smaller than Intl. I have been fortunate to visit and I sought out rinks in Deutschland, France, Italia, the Netherlands and Mexico. I have not been everywhere but from other people I know that have visited or played in Euopre or visit Asia there only exists Intl. sized rinks. USA Hockey 'Recommends' it. I think we in Canada and the USA need to standardize on the larger rink. I think the only thing holding it back it the choice of the NHL which is 200 x 85.

Knowlze · Post by **Knowlze** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:48 pm

Renegade-Yah, I joke from time to time, not this time. I would expect a silly response from a cidiot, not an out-state guy, especially from up North, near Canada even. I thought you played hockey (or are you just a window guy, with a trailerhouse). Now, that one was a joke.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"> I was referring to WATCHING the game, not playing it. Of course skating separates players, so why give them an additional advantage of more space. Many highly touted players do not appear as talented with less time and space. I would much rather watch players make plays on a defender, rather than "blast" around them in open ice. T.J Oshie,...remember him,...prime example,....wonderful to WATCH play,....and not necessarily speeding around everyone in open ice.

ThunderStorm22 · Post by **ThunderStorm22** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:47 pm

In my opinion, the Olympic Hockey games, played on the larger ice sheet, are much better than the NHL, or minor leagues, played on the smaller NHL ice sheet. I think it is just a better game. It may be because of the size and speed of today's players? Many years ago the game played in the NHL was puck control and stick handling where as today most of the game is dump and chase. The larger ice sheet opens up the game for better skating and stick handling.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:39 pm

It would be great if the NHL could play on a big sheet. Players are so much faster and bigger now than they were. It looks really crowded out there at times. 85 feet is fine for college and down the line. As far as uniformity of playing fields go in other sports, I think there has been a little bit of an over statemnt in that regard. Sure all baseball fields have 90 foot bases but there are some big differences between Fenway and Yankee stadium.... just as one example. Any field with artificial turf is different and makes it a different game. Football...all the same till you get to weather and stadium configurations that effect wind and noise. Every golf course is different, thankfully.

Renegade Ram · Post by **Renegade Ram** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:08 am

Without a season to watch a guy has to discuss. Skating is not only speed it's balance, grace and strength on your feet. TJ may not have blazing speed but along with some of the greatest hands I've ever seen he's maybe one of the most solid on his skates also. The guy is know for leaving the puck float in his skates and lowering his shoulder to give a hit instead of taking one from an opposing player who thinks he's got him lined up...guess who's looking at the lights while TJ picks the puck back up and is on his merry way.....<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smokin.gif ALT=":smokin">

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 10:41 pm

I remember playing in the DECC my first time, during the game I felt lightning fast on my feet. Now I know why. Recently, I read in the Duluth News Tribune that the DECC is only 185 by 85. Those who play there often, know the zones are pretty cramped, but I didn't think it was by 15 feet. Shrink the rink, and the big slow or the less talented guys get a lot faster. I wonder if the small sheet in the DECC has been the deciding factor in some of those section 7 finals? If it hasn't been the deciding factor, I wonder if some of those games were closer than they would have been on a regulation sheet, had those swift skaters from Glen Avon or Congdin Park been able to stretch their legs a little more?

hockeypuck02 · Post by **hockeypuck02** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 7:52 pm

I actually prefer to watch Gopher hockey (or college games on a big sheet) over Pro hockey. I love the open style of play that the big rink allows, it's so much more fun to watch in my opinion. There is a lot more flow to the game. I think for high school play however, they should stick to the smaller rinks. But if you were to ask me if I would rather have tickets to see the Gophers at Mariucci or a pro game, I would take the Gopher tickets every time.

Knowlze · Post by **Knowlze** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 8:21 pm

Irishman, I see your point, and I have thought the same about 5AA in recent years. They play all games except the Championship on NHL ice (Breamar and BIG). In recent years, the faster team (usually AHA) has won the Section on Olympic ice (Marriucci). When AHA hasn't won, they haven't been there, they have lost in the semi final in the small rink, like this year to Apple Valley. The game is so much easier with time and space. Take it away and great players can still make a play, and the average players will try skate away. Personally, I enjoy watching great players make plays, not average players skating away.

murraychadwick · Post by **murraychadwick** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:00 pm

Since the youth was brought up, don't the younger kids in basketball play with an 8 foot hoop,and smaller ball the soccer play with a smaller netand ball, and baseball play with smaller bases/pitching mounds. I may be off, but doesn't it make sense to adjust the playing field to accomidate the smaller athlete. If I give a 5 year old a golf ball and golf club I want it to be on a 100 yard hole. The farther they progress the bigger the stage should be. NHL college play on the international rink. Keep the small ones for the small ones.

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Dimensions of Rink

Dimensions of Rink

Rink Size

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Olympic sheets are for some other game.

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Skating

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200 x 100 Should Be Standard

Of course, I am a Joke!

Olympic Tournament much better than NHL

Depends on who is playing

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Sheet Size at the DECC

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Sheet Size

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