The Ice Time Incident

Originally posted on Nextdoor 2/3/2025

Dear Hockey Parents,

I hope this letter finds you enjoying the day while beaming with pride over your little Gretzkys and Ovechkins. As a fellow rink enthusiast, I commend your dedication to the game and your unwavering support for your hockey stars.

However, I must bring up an issue that I believe requires our collective attention — obnoxious and unwarranted distractions. The particular incidents I’m referring to, I personally observed yesterday morning at the Orange County Sportsplex while the ladies on the synchronized ice skating team were on the rink practicing during their PAID FOR ice time.

First, several young hockey players continually practiced their body checking techniques along the outside of the acrylic panels that surround the ice rink creating a loud “BANG” that echoed through the room over and over again.  Also, a group of boys in their matching hockey jerseys marched around the rink blaring their team’s theme song so incredibly loud, nothing else could be heard – including the synchro team coach.  The boys were being unnecessarily disruptive but eventually paraded into a locker room. Once the door closed, the volume of the head-banging musical battle-cry was tolerable enough for the coach to continue.  The music eventually stopped only to begin again back in the main rink area and the synchro coach, again, had to halt her instructions.  Only this time the offenders were a group of hockey moms . . . . .MOMS!! I’m hoping that these grown women were simply unaware that, by virtue of the extreme volume of the music, they were stealing valuable and expensive coaching time from other skaters and the parents who also pay A LOT of money for their kid’s sport.

Now, I understand that you might think blasting your favorite tune adds a little “pizzazz” to the rink, but let’s remember that the figure skaters were not just there to twirl and leap; they’re also trying to catch their coaches’ instructions.

Imagine if a hockey player was trying to hear their coach over the sound of a marching band. Not ideal, right?

Those poor girls, clad in dedication, determination and frazzled nerves over an upcoming competition, were valiantly trying to master their synchronized ice skating routine while simultaneously deciphering whether their coach just said “spin” or “grin” with Angus Young’s award-winning power-cords blasting throughout the arena.

So, while I appreciate the enthusiasm of your playlist (I honestly mean that because I LOVE me some AC/DC), perhaps we can tone it down a notch while you impatiently wait for your ice time to begin? Think of it as a friendly competition: Who can create the most supportive environment for ALL athletes? I assure you, the only thing that should be echoing off the ice during figure skating sessions is the sound of blades gliding and the occasional graceful ‘thud’ from a well-executed fall. When it is the hockey team’s paid ice time – THAT’s the correct time to make it a noisy free-for-all if you want.

Let’s join forces to create an atmosphere where both hockey and figure skating can thrive. Ultimately, we’re all in this together—freezing our butts off, supporting our kids, sharing the ice, and occasionally battling over the last Snickers at the snack bar.

Thank you for your understanding and for keeping the spirit of camaraderie alive. Here’s to a harmonious and respectful rink experience for all!

Warmest regards,

A Fellow Ice Enthusiast