Tending the Goalie

There are many rinks in the DC area, some closer than others. Directions to many rinks where hockey is played can be found here.

Additional rinks:

• Kettler Capitals Iceplex
• Fairfax Ice Arena (no youth hockey games but there are hockey lessons provided there)

There are some outdoor rinks in the winter that provide a fun place to practice skating:

• Canal Park Ice Rink (DC)
• National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden (DC)
• Pentagon Row (VA)
• Reston Town Center (VA)
• Rockville Town Center (MD)
• Silver Spring Ice Skating at Veterans Plaza (MD)
• Washington Harbour (DC)

For those of you headed to a particular rink, I want to share some observations to help you plan your trip. As I visit rinks, I will take notes on things like the facility, the locker rooms, whether or not there is a snack bar, and, most importantly to many of us, how cold the rink is. I’d appreciate any help on this so feel free to add comments about rinks and I’ll add that information.

Fort Dupont:

• Temp – VERY COLD! No heaters near spectator section
• Rinks – one
• Locker rooms – small, no attached bathrooms but small ones in hallway
• Spectator seating – large stands
• Snack bar – yes. Small, offering coffee and limited food choices. Vending machines on-site
• Pro shop – no
• Surrounding area – inner city residential neighborhood

Gardens Ice House, Laurel:

• Temp – cold but with heaters over spectator seating (where available)
• Rinks – three
• Locker rooms – medium-sized, bathrooms outside of locker rooms
• Spectator seating – Patrick rink has large stands, Logsdon has two sets of smaller bleachers, Resor does not have bleachers or stands
• Snack bar – yes. Enclosed snack area with full menu of sandwiches, pizza, burgers, wraps, salads, snacks, and more. Vending machines in hallways, as well.
• Pro shop – large with adult and youth sizes, including goalie gear
• Surrounding area – restaurants, shops, and hotels nearby; close to major DC highways
• Other – attached curling facility; lounge area and fitness center upstairs

Main Street Arena, Charlottesville, VA:

• Temp – cold, no heaters near spectating area
• Rinks – one
• Locker rooms – small, bathrooms outside of locker rooms
• Spectator seating – small area above the rink (bench side) with some seating, no viewing space at rink level across from benches
• Snack bar – yes. Full bar with beer, wine, and liquor in enclosed seating area/lobby with minimal snacks also available. Very small snack bar in near rink with sodas and some snacks.
• Pro shop – no
• Surrounding area – located at end of pedestrian mall with many shops and restaurants. Near hotels and close to University of Virginia.
• Other – somewhat challenging to locate rink and find parking nearby

McMullen Hockey Arena (Navy):

• Temp – cold, no heaters near spectator seating
• Rinks – one, Olympic-size
• Locker rooms – medium-sized, no ceilings, bathrooms outside of locker rooms
• Spectator seating – large stands
• Snack bar – small concession stand for special occasions, vending machines outside of rink
• Pro shop – golf supplies available but not hockey
• Surrounding area – on grounds of U.S. Naval Academy (do not need to pass checkpoint to get to rink)

Mt. Vernon:

• Temp – chilly with heaters over spectator area
• Rinks – one
• Locker rooms – large, attached bathrooms with showers
• Spectator seating – medium-sized stands
• Snack bar – no. Vending machines on-site
• Pro shop – no
• Surrounding area – strip mall with restaurants and shops across the street; close to major highways

Piney Orchard Ice Arena, Odenton, MD:

• Temp – cold but with heaters above spectator area
• Rinks – one
• Locker rooms – medium-sized, bathrooms outside of locker rooms
• Spectator seating – large bleachers
• Snack bar – no. Vending machines available
• Pro shop – yes. Small with limited inventory
• Surrounding area – located in residential area but shops nearby, not far from major highways
• Other – extremely limited cell coverage inside building

Prince William Ice Rink, Woodbridge, VA:

• Temp – cold, varies with outside temps, warmer up at the top of the stands
• Rinks – two
• Locker rooms – medium-sized, attached bathrooms
• Spectator seating – bleachers and room to stand around rink; can stand outside of rink and watch through the glass
• Snack bar – yes. Menu includes variety of food and snacks plus hot drinks
• Pro shop – yes. Small with limited inventory. Includes Patriots gear for club and Junior team.
• Surrounding area – on main road in Woodbridge. Near residential area but shops and restaurants not too far.
• Other – free wifi (variable performance), meeting rooms upstairs

SkateNation, Richmond, VA:

• Temp – cold
• Rinks – one
• Locker rooms – medium-sized, attached bathrooms
• Spectator seating – medium-sized stands
• Snack bar – yes. Full menu with pizza, chicken nuggets, fries, snacks, and more
• Pro shop – yes. Small but includes some youth size gear
• Surrounding area – near shops and restaurants; located in same parking lot as large strip mall
• Other – laser tag and arcade on-site

Tucker Road:

• Temp – cold
• Rinks – one
• Locker rooms – medium-size,  attached bathrooms with showers
• Spectator seating – limited with small bleachers
• Snack bar – no. Enclosed vending area with seating
• Pro shop – no
• Surrounding area – rural