You’ll find the likes of the Hooligans, Vicious Pickles, Donut Bumpers and other uniquely named teams on local ice rinks. Adult rec league hockey is alive and well in the Pikes Peak region.
Whether you’re reliving the glory days or just picking up a stick for the first time, rinks such as Monument Ice Rinks offer leagues for advanced, intermediate, novice and beginners.
“We specialize in getting people started,” says Al Pedersen, Monument Ice Rink’s general manager and a former NHL defenseman.
That’s true for adults and kids. Pedersen has been running ice hockey leagues since 2002 for Monument Ice Rinks, where more than 1,000 skaters participate in year-round leagues. He currently has 65 adult teams and more than 600 skaters in the fall-winter league. Pedersen’s teams also play games at Sertich Ice Center at Memorial Park, the Broadmoor World Arena and the Air Force Academy.
“Some people love to play in the winter months, some in the summer months,” says Pedersen, who skated in two Stanley Cup Finals for the Boston Bruins in 1988 and 1990. “It’s about getting out there and getting exercise and having fun. It’s a great networking opportunity. And it’s a great stress reducer. You get on the ice and you forget about the stress of the day.”
Hit the Local Ice for Rec League Hockey
Monument Ice Rinks
16240 Old Denver Hwy., Monument
719-487-8572
monumenticerinks.com
Honnen Ice Arena
Colorado College, 30 W. Cache La Poudre St.
719-389-615
coloradocollege.edu/other/honnen
Sertich Ice Center
1705 E. Pikes Peak Ave.
719-385-5983
coloradosprings.gov/sertich-ice-center
Cadet Ice Arena
U.S. Air Force Academy, 2169 Field House Dr.
719-333-0229
goairforcefalcons.com/icerink
World Arena Ice Hall
3205 Venetucci Blvd.
719-477-2150
broadmoorworldarena.com/icehall
Meadow Wood Sports Complex
2000 Evergreen Heights Dr., Woodland Park
719-687-5225
city-woodlandpark.org/parks-and-recreation
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