We all know what an NHL (National Hockey League) rink is, but did you know that there’s more than one kind? There are the traditional rinks with ice and goals, but there are also the hybrid rinks that have been popping up all over the place. Some of these hybrid rinks don’t even have ice, which is why they’re referred to as ‘ice-free’. Let’s take a quick look at the different dimensions of an NHL hockey rink so you can have an idea of what to expect when the games begin.
Table of Contents
Length
The first thing people usually notice about an NHL rink is how long it is. As you might imagine, the longer the rink, the wider the skaters can spread out and the more room there is for the fans. The longer the rink, the greater the overall volume is too. So if you’re looking for a place that’s an easy walk to, you might want to consider an outdoor rink. There are also some domed stadiums that have been known to accommodate an NHL game, but only if the team is playing on the road. If the game is at home, the crowd might not have enough space under the dome.
Width
The next thing people notice about an NHL rink is how wide it is. The wider the rink, the easier it is to get around it. If you have ever attended an NBA (National Basketball Association) game, you will know that even the smallest courts are wider than an NHL court. This enables the fans to watch the game from various sides. If you’re at the game, you’ll see the whole court (and everything on it) but if you’re on the other side, you’ll only see part of it. Having a wider court also makes it easier for players to drive to the basket and score the ball.
Height
The third thing people notice about an NHL rink is how tall it is. Did you know that the center ice wall is six feet high, even though it doesn’t seem like it? I mean, come on, look at those Zamboni drivers. They’re like 6’5″. So when the Zamboni makes its round and starts smoothing out the ice, things get a bit higher than usual. The center ice wall is part of the NHL’s safety and security measures since there are so many glass panels located in the middle of the rink.
Gap
The last thing people usually notice about an NHL rink is how much room there is between the rink walls. In theory, there should be at least 18 inches of room in between the wall and the rink, so there’s more than enough room for a grown man to squeeze through. Sometimes, there are signs posted on the wall reminding photographers to leave at least an inch between them so they don’t run into each other while trying to get their shots.