Massachusetts – Local Rink

Bridgewater Ice Arena – Bridgewater MA

RINK INFO:

Name: Bridgewater Ice Arena
Address: 20 Bedford Park, Bridgewater MA
Rink Website: Bridgewatericearena
GPS Info: GPS it. GPS is correct. However, you’ll get off the highway and drive for another 10-15 minutes……
Home-rink for: Bridgewater State Universtiy, Boston Bandits, Local High School Teams
Parking: Decent, front of building and around the left side
Sheets: 2 sheets. East and West. East is the better viewing.
Locker Rooms: Decent size, well maitained. Named after NHL teams instead of numeric order….
Rink Conditions: Excellent. Well maintained, great ice.
Overall: Colder rink, but also very clean. Pride is evident. Lot of ice use, but the rink staff keeps the place well run. Lot of amenities here. Little bit off the beaten path, but a nice rink to have ice time at. East Rink is the “main rink” in our opinion. Viewing stands are good. West Rink has an overhead viewing area, but no stands

AMENITIES:

Pro Shop: Yes, large one. Hub City Hockey runs it. Probably one of the best at a local rink
Snack Bar: Yes (Cash only). Good selection, more than the standard rink microwave pizza. Beverages and a large selection of sandwiches and snack food. Breakfast sandwiches in morning hours.
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes
ATM: Yes (needed as the snack bar does not take cards…cash only!)
Arcade: Yes, Foosball too, big selection. Change machine
WiFi: Yes, but we didn’t learn password
Bathrooms (non-Locker room bathrooms-Public): Large, clean. Well maintained. But cold
Private Rooms: Unknown
Miscellaneous: Live Barn is available on East Rink (unknown on West Rink)

PRO SHOP:

Skate sharpening: Yes
Quality and Quantity: Yes and Yes! Excellent in both!
Selection: Large selection
Knowledge: Excellent

OTHER:

Tailgating: We have done it before. Go to left side of rink in upper area of lot
Local attractions: Close to Bridgewater State University.
Things to do to kill time: For breakfast try Perseys Place (persysplace.com)
Photography at rink: Very well lit, but net blocks a lot of good pictures
Other stuff for kids: Semi-close to Patriots Place and the Wrentham outlets…..

Rockland Ice Rink – Rockland MA

RINK INFO:

Name: Rockland Ice Rink
Address: 599 Summer ST, Rockland MA
Rink Website: rocklandicerink.com
GPS Info: Right on. GPS takes you thru some residential neighborhoods. Drive slow.
Home-rink for: Bay State Breakers, South Shore Eagles, Abington Greenwave, Rockland High School, others and the Winterland Skating School
Parking: Plenty
Sheets: 1 Sheet
Locker Rooms: Small, but well kept
Rink Conditions: Cold rink, but great ice.
Overall: Nice rink. Dress warm. On a cold scale with 10 being the coldest we give this an 8. Lot of amenities. ATM, snack bar, pro shop. Stands are good. Locker rooms under the stands. Little crowded in rooms, but manageable. Well maintained place. Pride is evident.

AMENITIES:

Pro Shop: Yes
Snack Bar: Yes
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes. available in snack bar area even when snack bar is closed. No machine takes cards however.
ATM: Yes
Arcade: Few arcade games in the far corner. All in working order. A couple of games near the front entrance too. Claw game!
WiFi: Yes!
Bathrooms (non-Locker room bathrooms-Public): Small and cold but clean and well maintained.
Private Rooms: Unknown
Miscellaneous: Change machine i

PRO SHOP:

Skate sharpening: Yes
Quality and Quantity: Large quality and quantity
Selection: Large selection
Knowledge: Seemed very knowledgeable

OTHER:

Tailgating: Done it before….park near the left side of rink
Local attractions: Buffalo Wild Wings one exit away.
Things to do to kill time: Not much, throw a football in the parking lot?
Photography at rink: Well lit, good for pictures
Other stuff for kids: Arcade and games at rink….didn’t find any non-rink activities nearby

Essex Sports Center – Middleton MA

RINK INFO (as of February 6, 2017)

Name: Essex Sports Center
Address: 15 Manning Road, Middleton MA
Rink Website: www.essexsportscenter.com
GPS Info: Perfect
Home-rink for: Local High Schools, St Johns, Essex etc. Skate clubs as well.
Parking: Large lot, plenty of parking. Can drive up, drop off kid and then park
Sheets: 2 Sheets plus a turf field!
Locker Rooms: Large, well lit, clean and roomy
Rink Conditions: Fantastic. Both Sheets were excellent
Overall: This rink is brand new. We like it. Looks like lots of construction is happening. Pro-shop going in a smoothie bar and we can only hope some sort of snack bar. Big, well lit, clean, modern and warm. Even has heaters in the stands! This was a great rink. Scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the coldest) we gave it about a 5 for in the stands. Heaters were off, but we imagine when on its downright pleasant here. Waiting to go back once construction is complete of the pro-shop and (we hope!) a snack-bar.

AMENITIES:

Pro Shop: Under construction (we think)
Snack Bar: Smoothie bar coming soon
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes, modern. Takes cards
ATM: Didnt see one
Arcade: No
WiFi: Yes, free and lots of bandwidth
Bathrooms (non-Locker room bathrooms-Public): Large, clean and warm. Well maintained.
Private Rooms: Looks like there is
Miscellaneous: Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning has a facility there.

PRO SHOP:

Skate sharpening: N/A
Quality and Quantity: N/A
Selection: N/A
Knowledge: N/A

OTHER:

Tailgating: Didn’t try. Plenty of room. But sherffis office is right nearby with a convenient jail….so be warned!
Local attractions: Farm Stand nearby. Texas Road House right nearby. Market Street (Lynfield) is an open shopping areas (including a Whole Foods) and various stores & restaurants.
Things to do to kill time:
Photography at rink: Well lit. Net may block good camera shots
Other stuff for kids: North Shore Mall, Liberty Tree Mall

Ryan Rink (John A Ryan Arena) – Watertown MA

RINK INFO:

Name: John A Ryan Arena (Aka “JAR”)
Address: 1 Paramount Place, Watertown MA
Rink Website: http://www.ci.watertown.ma.us/index.aspx?NID=302
GPS Info: Correct. Rink is behind the Sons of Italy and garden store. Paramount is off of Pleasant
Homerink Info: Many. Local High Schools (Watertown, Waltham), Waltham youth hockey, Jr Eagles, New England Pride
Parking: Plenty
Sheets: 1 Sheet. NHL standard
Locker Rooms: Roomy. 8 total
Rink Conditions: Older rink, but well cared for. Ice is excellent, medium size parking lot. On a scale of 1-10 for cold we give this a 6 (10 being the coldest)
Overall: Good rink, well run, clean. Lot of hockey and skating at this place!

AMENITIES:

Pro Shop: Yes, very small
Snack Bar: No
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes, takes money only. Didn’t see one that takes cards
ATM: No
Arcade: No
WiFi: Unknown
Bathrooms (non Locker room bathrooms): Large and clean. Well cared for
Private Rooms: Unknown
Miscellaneous: Russos Farm Stand is next door. Standard farm produce etc. But also has prepared foods and sandwiches. Excellent quality!

PRO SHOP:

Skate sharpening: Yes
Quality and Quantity: Small. Not much. Skate Rentals too
Selection: Somewhat limited. Enough for “emergencies”. Tape, mouth guards etc.
Knowledge: Good for what was there

OTHER:

Tailgating: Not the best place for massive tailgating. Perhaps a couple of low key adult beverages and snacks in parking lot.
Local attractions: Near Moody St in Waltham. Lots of restaurants and bars.
Things to do to kill time: Russo garden store. Launch
Photography at rink: Okay from stands good viewing from stands
Other stuff for kids: Launch Trampoline is nearby. Indoor trampoline Park

Daly Rink – Newton MA

RINK INFO:

Name: Daly Rink
Address: 4 Nonantum Road, Newton MA
Rink Website: http://www.dalyrink.org
GPS Info: Little wonky. GPS for 4 Nonantum takes you about 1/4 mile away. Daly is same side of road as river, marina, athletic fields and boathouses.
Homerink Info: Boston Jr Eagles, local college, public skating
Parking: Can be tough. large lot, but fills fast due to proximity to athletic fields. We’ve had luck doing the drop off and coming out of parking lot headed left and parking by Boat House.
Sheets: 1. Great ice.
Locker Rooms: Several, clean, well maintained and good sized.
Rink Conditions: Clean, well maintained, no frills, but great ice and a very good staff. Viewing is mostly from the boards. Small set of Bleachers, but we never watch from there.
Overall: Good place. Set on the banks of the Charles River. No bones about it, its a cold rink. Scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the coldest) we give this an 8.5. Parking can be tricky, but rink is super easy to get too off of the Mass Pike (or RT 20). In the summer and spring you can watch the local college crew boats rowing by. Running/walking trail loops nearby (about 3 miles). Nice rink, while not a lot of amenities they are probably one of the best skate sharpeners around.

AMENITIES:

Pro Shop: No. Skate Rental/Sharpening shop has basics (Tape, mouth guards, laces).
Snack Bar: No
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes. Snack machine takes cards. Drink machines do not
ATM: Yes. And Change Machine
Arcade: No, 1 fooseball game however
WiFi: No (and Verizon Cell service-our provided-can be non-existent at times).
Bathrooms (non Locker room bathrooms): 2 sets (front & back of rink). Older, but clean & well maintained.
Private Rooms: Yes. Does private Birthday parties
Miscellaneous: Nearby is a Dunkins, McDonalds, Ihop, Staples and Package store. Arsenal Mall nearby as well. Close proximity to Warrior Rink, Boston etc. Check out Wild Willies Burgers (about 1.5 miles away). Nice running/walking loop around the Charles River.

PRO SHOP:

Skate sharpening: Yes. Great word of mouth reviews on the quality of sharpening. Heads up…CASH ONLY.
Quality and quantity: Good, but limited….not a Pro shop. Skate Rental shop that sharpens. Has a limited selection of tape, laces and mouth guards. Again, Cash only!
Selection: Small
Knowledge: Excellent. Some of the best skate sharpening around.

OTHER:

Tailgating: We’ve done it before….park near the river. Parking can get tight if busses roll in. Dumpsters nearby for easy of disposal.
Local attractions: Boston, Warrior Rink, Arsenal Mall, running loop.
Things to do to kill time: Mall, run, watch the rowers (scullers?) go by.
Photography at rink: Tough thru the glass.
Other stuff for kids: Athletic fields nearby. shares parking lot. Good for kids to get out and stretch if you had a long ride to this Rink. Trails near by. Mall

Boch Ice Rink – Dedham, MA

RINK INFO:

Name: Boch Ice Rink
Address: 1105 East ST, Dedham, MA
Rink Website: www.bochice.com
GPS Info: Perfect. Easy to get to. Rotary can be a little tricky.
Homerink Info: Charles River Hockey, Boch Blazers, Thayer, Boch Militia. various adult leagues and the HS Preps
Parking: Plenty, both front and side
Sheets: 2 sheets. Full sheet and a 1/2 sheet
Locker Rooms: Good size, clean, well maintained
Rink Conditions: Cold scale on 1-10 (10 being coldest) we give this one a 5..maybe 6. Not too cold to view a game!
Overall: This is a nice, well kept, well maintained rink. Clean, friendly staff and easy to get to. Well lit, good overhead viewing. Good for pictures too. Plenty of “extras” while you are there. One of our more favorite rinks to come to

AMENITIES:

Pro Shop: Yes, combined withe snack shop. Small convenience store/snack shop/pro shop all in one. Clean, good selection of quick snacks, drinks and coffee. Small selection of hockey essentials: tape, sticks, laces etc. Skate sharpening available.
Snack Bar: Yes. All quick snacks: chips, drinks, granola bars, power drinks, coffee
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes. All the machines we saw took Debit cards
ATM: Yes
Arcade: Not separate arcade, but plenty of games in the main lobby. Including the “Claw Game”.
WiFi: Yes-no access code required
Bathrooms (non Locker room bathrooms): Yes, clean, well maintained
Private Rooms: Yes
Miscellaneous: gym in the facility. 2nd Floor viewing stands are Handicap accessible (elevator available).

PRO SHOP:

Skate sharpening: Yes
Quality and quantity: Good quality, small selection, but just enough
Selection: Good selection of basics.
Knowledge: Very. Very helpful and professional

OTHER:

Tailgating: Doesn’t seem conducive…perhaps around back of the building
Local attractions: Close by to Legacy Place (shops/restaurants) and Patriot Place.
Things to do to kill time: Video games in lobby, public skate on 1/2 sheet, legacy place is nearby. Lots of places to eat on nearby Route 1
Photography at rink: Great. 2nd floor viewing stands provide excellent advantage point
Other stuff for kids: Video games, nearby attractions.

Rodman Arena -Walpole MA

RINK INFO:

Name: Rodman Arena
Address: 2130 Providence Highway, Walpole MA
Rink Website: http://www.rodmanarena.com
GPS Info: 2130 Providence Highway is Route 1 (This is Route 1 going North). Plenty of opportunities to do a u turn if you pass the rink. Easy rink to get to
Homerink Info: Shamrocks, Walpole Express,
Parking: Plenty
Sheets: 2 sheets. 1 NHL size and 1 Olympic size
Locker Rooms: Small / clean
Rink Conditions: Clean, organized, well care for.
Overall: Lots of tournaments at this rink. Originally built to train the Woman’s Olympic Team. Lots of camps run here too. On the Cold Scale we give it a 6…not too cold. Plus you can warm up in the middle viewing area. Snack bar is solid, but cash only (ATM in lobby). Don’t forget to say hello to Jake the Dog (but don’t feed him!)!!

AMENITIES:

Pro Shop: Yes
Snack Bar: Yes. Variety of choices. Debit cards not accepted at Snack bar (ATM in lobby).
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes in main lobby. Drinks
ATM: Yes
Arcade: Couple of video games, but no arcade per se
WiFi: Yes
Bathrooms (non Locker room bathrooms): Cold….
Private Rooms: Yes
Miscellaneous: LiveBarn is available

PRO SHOP:

Skate sharpening: Yes
Quality and quantity: Good / Good
Selection: Very decent selection
Knowledge: On target

OTHER:

Tailgating: Done it before. Right side of rink is large parking lot that abuts a small field (good for kid wiffle ball & football!).
Local attractions: 2 miles to Gillette / Patriots Place
Things to do to kill time: Patriots Place
Photography at rink: Good, stands allow good vantage for pics
Other stuff for kids: Patriots Place. Lots of nearby restaurants (within a mile or less…..fast food to high end…all choices)

Keller Rink (Belmont Hill School) – Belmont MA

RINK INFO:

Name: Keller Rink (Belmont Hill School)
Address: 350 Prospect Street
GPS Info: Continue past 350 Propsect St (Main School Office) to the first Left off of Rotary. This takes you into the rink parking lot. Easy to get to off of Route 2.
Rink Website: http://www.belmonthill.org/page/athletics_1/athletic-facilities
Homerink Info: Belmont Hills School Hockey program, Jr Eagles,
Parking: Plenty. Can drop your player off at door and then park
Sheets: 1 sheet. Olympic size. Bring water and snacks for your player after. They will be toast. Good venue to watch the game from balcony above.
Locker Rooms: Decent, clean, usually each team is issued two locker rooms (A & B).
Rink Conditions: Excellent. Cold. Large sheet, very well maintained.
Overall: This is a great venue. Private Boy’s school and it shows. The facilty is large, modern and extremely well maintained. We like this rink a lot for the ice. On a cold scale its about a 7.5 (scale of 1-10 with 10 being the coldest). Downstairs is about an 8. Second floor balcony is around a 7. Good viewing from the balcony. Not much amenities on campus or nearby. Bring your player a snack. its Olympic sized ice and they will be cooked at the end of the game/practice!

AMENITIES:

Pro Shop: No
Snack Bar: No
Adult Bar: No (and Belmont is a dry town)
Vending Machine(s): Yes. Snacks, drinks and a coffee vending machine
ATM: No
Arcade: No
WiFi: Yes, public, but never had luck getting on
Bathrooms (non Locker room bathrooms): Excellent. Large, clean, well stocked and maintained
Private Rooms: N/A
Miscellaneous: Gym upstairs is sometimes open for the teams to warm up/stretch. Attached football/soccer fields provide a good chance to run and stretch too. Running Track right outside rink for those joggers in your group……FYI we see a lot of dogs (on and off leash) in the soccer fields.

PRO SHOP:

Skate sharpening: N/A
Quality and quantity: N/A
Selection: N/A
Knowledge: N/A

OTHER:

Tailgating: Probably not the best place…
Local attractions: Near Boston….but nothing real close to rink for amenities
Things to do to kill time: Be outside
Photography at rink: From 2nd floor balcony its good. bright and open view
Other stuff for kids:

Foxboro Sports Center – Foxboro MA

RINK INFO:

Name: Foxboro Sports Center
Address: 10 E Belcher ST, Foxboro MA
GPS Info: Same
Home Rink Info: South Shore Kings, many others
Parking: Plenty. Lots near the main entrance. Large lot around back of rink with back entrance.
Sheets: 3 full sheets with corresponding locker rooms. Rinks 1, 2 & 3
Locker Rooms: Decent size. Clean, well kept. Maintained regularly. Coaches/Parent must turn in car keys to get locker room key. Locker rooms are usually inspected before you can re-claim your car keys. So have your players pick up their mess….
Rink Conditions: Well run, modern. Rinks 1 & 2 spectator temps are reasonable. 6 on a scale of 1 -10 (10 being the coldest). Rink 3 is COLD! We give it an 8.5!
Overall: Great venue, lots of parking, great staff, decent snack bar and pro shop. Entertainment for the non-hockey members of your entourage. Fairly easy to get to from I95 and Rt 140. Rink is often host to tournaments in Spring and Fall. Well run place.

AMENITIES:

Pro Shop: Yes
Snack Bar: Yes. One of the better ones!
Adult Bar: No
Vending Machine(s): Yes. Snack and Beverage
ATM: Yes (in Snack bar)
WiFi: Yes
Arcade: Yes, Decent size
Bathrooms (non Locker room bathrooms): Small, but clean and well kept
Private Rooms: Yes
Miscellaneous: Live Barn is available here.

PRO SHOP:

Skate sharpening: Yes
Quality and quantity: Yes & yes
Selection: Wide variety
knowledge: Very good

OTHER:

Tailgating: Have tailgated here. Both with and without adult beverages. No issues. Clean up after-yourself.
Local attractions: 3/4 mile from Gillette (Patriots Place). Lots of shops and restuaruants and bars. Package store is about 1/2 mile away. Dunkins nearby as well. Ridgeway Casio nearby. Wrentham Outlets as well (both within 10 min drive). Buffalo Wild Wings nearby. Lots of hotels (name brand and local).
Things to do to kill time: Patriots Place,
Photography at rink: Very Good. Rink 3 is best. New viewing stands gives photographer a good oversight.
Other stuff for kids: Gillette, Arcade, snack bar, Patriots Place

Porazzo Rink – East Boston

RINK DATA:

Name: Porazzo Rink
Address: 199 Coleridge St, East Boston
Telephone: 617-567-9571
GPS Info: 199 Coleridge
Home Rink Info: Boston Jr Eagles
Notes on Getting there: Pretty easy. Near Logan. Behind a residential neighborhood.
Parking: Medium size. linear parking lots near rink. if parking full, drop kid & equipment off and drive over to parking.
Sheets: 1 sheet of ice
Locker Rooms: Medium size. No frills but clean & maintained.
Rink Conditions: Cold. Plenty of bleacher seats. Cold Scale is a 9 (on a scale of 1-10…10 being the coldest).
Overall: Porazzo is a DCR run rink. Older but clean rink. Well cared for. The rink itself is brutally cold. Be prepared for it! The ice is excellent in the winter, but in the fall can be a little soft. The Rink is located right on a State Beach so you have a chance to get out and stretch your legs. Dogs at the beach are welcome. Leash during the in-season off leash thru the winter.

AMENITIES:

Pro Shop: No
Snack Bar: Yes. Not always open. Has Coffee, drinks, Fries, Chicken Strips, chips. Takes Debit Cards.
Vending Machine(s): Yes, drinks and snacks
ATM: No
WiFi: Yes, public. Code changes on occasion, posted by snack bar
Arcade: No
Bathrooms (non Locker room bathrooms): Clean / stocked
Private Rooms: No
Miscellaneous: Located next to State Beach. Spectacular views year round. Cold in winter

PRO SHOP:

Skate sharpening: No
quality and quantity: N/A
Selection: N/A
knowledge: N/A

OTHER:

Tailgating: Not really conducive to team tailgating. But where theres a will, theres a way!
Local attractions: Next to Boston! Tons! Dunkins nearby (1/4 mile…not really walkable).
Things to do to burn time: Go to beach, watch planes from Logan. Next to Boston so plenty to do.
Photography at rink: Glass limits pictues. Lighting okay for photography.
Other stuff for kids: Beach, open areas to run/stretch. Basketball & tennis courts on property to burn off energy.