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Just got done skating for a couple of hours at the park. The dangles aren't as good as they use to be ............. not that I had dangles in the first place.

As always, gliding on the ice put a smile on my face. Seems to put a smile on the mug of most people.

One of my kids played hockey outside for 5 hours yesterday. Today, that same kid is at a friend's backyard rink. The play has gone on for four hours so far.

Unstructured hockey is great for kids (and adults). It allows them to be creative, work on new moves, perfect moves that need work. Plus, kids playing outside, getting fresh air and staying away from computers and video games is wonderful.

Some of the greatest players in the history of hockey got great by playing at their home rinks or at the local parks. Wayne Gretzky comes to mind.

Give us your insight on developing outside. Any great youth stories? Know any great players that became great because of the time they spent at the park or outside rink?

Bianchi's (misspell?) of Jefferson had a backyard rink. Didn't three of their boys play D1 hockey?

Where is the great ice out there?

Skating is essential to a good hockey player.
Few players have unlimited (or a lot) of indoor ice time.
Skating outdoors is essential.

Pat your boy on the back for me.

My kids would have been bored to death without ourside rinks during Christmas break. Pickup games at the park made them better hockey players, and they developed lifelong friends hanging out for hour after hour just having fun. They didn't ever realize how much better it was making them. Never seemed like work. Have you ever seen kids come off the ice after a practice huffing and puffing - telling you about how the coach really worked them that day. But they can go to the park and play hockey for 6 hours straight, competing the whole time with a smile on their face, and never feel like they worked.

hockeyboys wrote:My kids would have been bored to death without ourside rinks during Christmas break. Pickup games at the park made them better hockey players, and they developed lifelong friends hanging out for hour after hour just having fun. They didn't ever realize how much better it was making them. Never seemed like work. Have you ever seen kids come off the ice after a practice huffing and puffing - telling you about how the coach really worked them that day. But they can go to the park and play hockey for 6 hours straight, competing the whole time with a smile on their face, and never feel like they worked.

I get a kick out of the kids calling up for pizza delivery at the warming house.

not my kids - they always called up the MOM delivery service. she always brought enough for everyone.

My kids would spend from 8 am till dark when they didn't have school on the outdoor rink. Kids and adults of all ages, from Mini Mites to college students, to parents would throw their sticks in the middle and split up teams. I would literally need to pull my kids off the ice. Now, they take themselves. Hockey is a lifetime sport with lifelong friends and memories!