Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/101613
More Demand Equals More Rinks As everyone knows, it doesn���t matter how many players you have or how many dynamic programs you put forth for your membership if there aren���t places to play. The rink industry has been fairly stagnant in recent years when it comes to building new facilities. Part of the problem is the current economic downturn, in which banks have been less likely to provide capital to build new rinks. Another issue is that the previous boons in the rink business have been closely tied to NHL expansion. There hasn���t been a new NHL franchise added to the mix since the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets expanded the ranks to 30 teams in 2000. ���Nobody is going to build any rinks unless the demand is there. That���s where USA Hockey and U.S. Figure Skating are doing a great job of creating programs that will increase that demand,��� says Jeff Thieler, chief operating officer of Serving The American Rinks, a joint venture between USA Hockey and U.S. Figure Skating to ensure that rinks continue to not only survive but also thrive in the future. Programs such as the ADM, which make better use of available ice by putting more players on the ice, have short-term and long-term benefits for rink operators. And the more kids trying hockey today means additional customers for the rinks now and in the future as they stay in the game. ���If we don���t get rinks to start growing then there���s only going to be so much growth,��� Thieler says. ���It goes hand in hand. Without these programs bringing more kids to the sport you���re not going to have more rinks. So it���s definitely the chicken-and-theegg syndrome.��� Setting The Gold Standard When it comes to determining the ultimate success of USA Hockey���s initiatives, there is 20 20 any number of ways to measure success. For some it���s about the smiles on the kids��� faces, and the number of young hockey players who join adult leagues as they grow older. For others it���s about the number of Americans playing at the highest levels of the game, whether that���s in the collegiate ranks or in professional hockey. And of course, the ultimate success for many is measured on the international arena, the gold medals that hang around players��� necks and the trophies that grace the lobby cases in USA Hockey���s offices. A recent sweep of November tournaments marked another first on the international arena for USA Hockey, and strong showings in Vancouver in 2010, silver medals for the U.S. Men���s and Women���s Olympic T eams and gold for the U.S. Sled Hockey T eam, offer a glimpse at a promising tomorrow. With a current crop of high-level players battling for precious spots on U.S. rosters, the impact of more passionate and skilled players in the future will make it harder to decide who wears the red, white and blue. 16 20 ���There will always be inherent risks with sport, but also with free play. It���s part of life. Our job is to reduce that risk to the best of our ability.��� ���Dr. Michael Stuart, USA Hockey���s Chief Medical Officer USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM january. 2013 17 20 from the previous season. The numbers continue to swell to the point where even those at the top have taken notice. ���We have more than 100,000 kids at the 8 & Under level, which is significant. [Carolina Hurricanes owner] Peter Karmanos asked when we could get to 150,000,��� Kelleher says. ���That���s a huge challenge, but it���s out there. It takes all entities working together, including more ice rinks.��� 18 20 19 20 Bauer launches a global initiative to grow the game by a million players by 2022. Read an interview with Bauer CEO Kevin Davis in the February 2013 of USA Hockey Magazine. 19