The Rink Hopper Report

30/12/2025

Great idea from Fife, would be great to see more clubs across the EIHL and NIHL do this for fans who work shifts or live too far away from the rink to make a season ticket worthwhile!

🎟️ FIFE FLYERS LAUNCH 10-GAME FLEXI PASS FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON 🎟️

The Fife Flyers are excited to launch a brand-new 10-Game Flexi Pass, giving fans the perfect way to be part of the club’s push toward the playoffs during the second half of the 2025/26 season.

Priced the same as a season ticket on a pro-rated basis, the 10-Game Flexi Pass gives supporters the best value per game, with the freedom to choose which home games they want to attend for the rest of the season.

Best value. Full flexibility. Flyers hockey when it matters most.

Tickets on sale NOW through to Tuesday 6th January

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🎟️ Purchase your Flexi Pass now: https://buff.ly/7h5pa6E

29/12/2025

A Twixmas Hop to one of British Ice Hockey's more remote outposts to see Grimsby Trawlers IHC v Beighton Bombers IHC at Grimsby Ice Rink last Sunday. A rink where yours truly learned to skate way back when⛸️.

Affectionately known as the Puddle, the rink at Grimsby was saved from closure back in 2017 and the community group running the rink have done a great job ever since. This year the rink had a significant refurbishment, with new boards, improvements to the public areas and toilets, as well as new lockers. Ample free parking is available right outside the main doors 🚗.

The Rink is compact, with the ice pad around 2/3 of standard size, and a small cafe operating from reception selling coffee ☕️ and snacks🍫🍿 at very fair prices. Coffee and a snack pack of pringles coming in at £2.50. Spectator seating is limited, though a good crowd stood at the glass for this Sunday afternoon challenge game.

While I'm not going to go heavy on the match report, we saw some excellent Rec hockey, played with plenty of smiles on both sides. Ref Smith turned Grinch midway through the 2nd, insisting a Beighton skater remove the wrapping paper from his stick!

Trawlers young Netminder made some excellent (if occasionally unconventional! 😂) saves as his side ran out 9-1 winners, with the scoring capped off with a goal from former Grimsby Wolves standout Laura Wardle 🥅🚨.

Huge credit to Beighton who stepped in last minute, travelling their own netminder, and to the Trawlers goalie who stood in to get the game on.

This may not be one of the more glamorous spots in British hockey, but the passion for the sport and the importance of this little rink to the community should not be understated. Look out for an upcoming feature on hockey in Grimsby - hopefully the first in a series on some of the rinks around the country without EIHL, NIHL or SNL teams - could a Grimsby team step up to NIHL N2 one day?

28/12/2025

Full write up to follow, but todays Twixmas Rink Hopper road trip took me to see Grimsby Trawlers IHC for the first time at the newly refurbished Grimsby Ice Rink. Just a word first on the great work the team have done to first save the rink back in 2017 and the refurbishment since!

23/11/2025

Last night saw my first visit to Hull Ice Arena since the refurbishment in 2021/2 for an NIHL North 2 clash between Kingston Sharks NIHL and the league leaders Sheffield Titans.

Admission was a very reasonable £5 for adults with a merchandise stall set up just inside the entrance.

Both sides iced a mix of youth and experience, testament to the development focus of both clubs. The emerging talent put on a very good showing with plenty of skill and pace throughout the game.

The action was competitive, even with Sheffield taking a 0-2 lead late in the first, the Sharks hit back in the last minute to go to the locker rooms with the score at 1-2.

Period 2 was just as fast and hard hitting as the first, with the sides trading goals either side of half way. 2-3 with 20 to play.

A physical 3rd period saw a couple of penalties apiece before Sheffield settled the game. Final score 2-4. The league leaders showing just why they are top at this point of the season.

A shout out to Colin, Sharks 50/50 seller, who must have sold to everyone in the crowd!

Onto the arena itself:
On the face of it, not much has changed. The cafe, the stands weren't included in the refurbishment. However, where money was spent it has paid off. The sound system is excellent, the lighting has improved greatly and the ice surface looked good throughout the game.

Cafe sells the usual hockey staples at sensible prices. Chip butty and a diet coke was less than a fiver. Plenty of chip spice as must as always in Hull!

Visitors to Hull, remember, parking at the rink is subject to 'Pay and Display' so avoid an expensive night out!

22/11/2025

In East Yorkshire for tonight's Rink Hopper Report. First visit since the 2021/2 refurbishment of Hull Ice Arena.

Laidler conference action as Kingston Sharks NIHL face the league leading Sheffield Titans Ice Hockey.

Match Report and rink review to follow.

22/11/2025

It’s been a while we know! We have been getting back into the swing of things since underwent a massive refurb over the summer.

We are still on the lookout for new players to join our team, if you are an experienced player or even just wanting to take up a new sport, please get in touch!

We train on Wednesday nights at 8pm which is catered to all abilities.

🥅🏒🐺

02/10/2025

My first game of the season, and a table topping thriller at Billingham Forum Ice Arena as the home town Billingham Buccaneers faced off against early season high flyers the Sheffield Titans.

British hockey royalty present in abundance with Jono Phillips behind the bench for Sheffield and legenday long serving referee Tony Boynton back in the armbands for (yet another) season!

Both teams mixed youth with experience, with strong benches on each side. The Buccaneers took the game 6-5 after a spirited late fight back from the young Titans team came up just short. Fabulous entertainment at a very reasonable price, with adults at £5, Concessions £2.50 and a family ticket (2+2) only £10.

Onto the Forum itself. The rink is situated in the Forum leisure centre in the middle of Billingham, surrounded by ample free parking and shops, cafes and pubs around for pre game refreshments. The centre underwent a significant revamp, completed in 2011 and also contains swimming pools, climbing walls and a soft play for anyone travelling and wanting to make an afternoon of it!

Inside the leisure centre is Cook's Cafe, which sells standard hockey fare at good prices on match nights. While the queues look long, they do get through orders quickly.

Once you get into the rink, 50/50 raffle tickets and 'Canonballs' are on sale in the concourse at £1 each for the 2nd intermission game. The HockeyHound.co.uk shop is away to your right as you come in, up the ramp behind the goal selling hockey equipment and Buccaneers jerseys, hats etc.

Seating is all on the balcony above the rink which affords a good view of the ice and reasonable leg room. Also on the balcony level is a stall selling Buccaneers branded merchandise at pocket money prices, which the kids loved. You'll also find the bar here, though please note, no alcoholic drinks can be taken out onto the balcony.

The sound system is good, with the volunteers on the mic and the DJ booth building a good match nights atmosphere, enhanced by what was an excellent crowd for an NIHL 2 fixture.

11/09/2025

This weekend should see the first Rink Hopper Report of the season, with a trip to Billingham Forum Ice Arena for Billingham Buccaneers home fixture v Coventry NIHL Blaze

As well as a short write up of the game, expect a review of the rink, food & drink options, parking and the overall experience.

Throughout the season we will try and get around as many rinks and teams as possible so keep your eyes peeled!

Send a message to learn more

14/08/2025

Nearly that time of year again. Hockey Season 🏒

The Rink Hopper Report is a new idea for the 2025/6 season. My hope is to get round as many rinks and arenas as I can, and give a brief report on the fan experience at each rink as well as on the games I attend 😊.