Spring/Summer ice - what should we add?
12/30/2021
Rick Banaszewski
Administrator
Where and when should we look to get ice? Currently, we are planning to try an Upper or All level skate in Blaine again, day of week TBD. We are also looking at Cottage Grove for the same.
We'd love your feedback.
12/30/2021
Mark Lo'M
RICHFIELD arena
BIG - Bloomington Ice Gardens
Braemer
1/3/2022
John Heinen
MN Made in Edina
1/3/2022
Scott Thompson
Keep MG and EP - both fill-up consistently
1/3/2022
Rick Banaszewski
Administrator
We will certainly be keeping all games that fill consistently. John and Mark - what level and day of the week would you set these up for? Do you have other friends (including goalies) that have been looking for skates here too?
1/3/2022
Don Greeman
Novice in cottage grove?
1/4/2022
Rick Banaszewski
Administrator
Don - I am waiting to hear back from Cottage Grove to get ice, but it will most likely be an All level game. We know lots of parents and coaches who play, and the skill level is all over the board.
1/4/2022
Mark Lo'M
The MN Made, Braemar, Richfield, BIG and SLP were rinks that we / JMS had filled in early days
INT = 2-3-4 Int Sessions would be my recommendation for starters
If the economics are better with any of these rinks, a shift in location will cause little disruption and add value.
Note that during AHA season { and to a lesser degree, JMS Leagues } - skater availability will be reduced and vary due to the AHA scheduling.
1/5/2022
John Heinen
Hi Rick, I don't know any goalies, only a few intermediate skaters that Edina/Bloomington ends up being a central location between us all and it's sometimes been tough to find a game that isn't filled. I'd be happy with any of the five arenas Mark mentioned though (MN Made, Braemar, Richfield, BIG and SLP). Those are all close enough to each other where I'd hope the deciding factor would be whoever can consistently provide the earliest ice on a week night.
1/6/2022
Rick Banaszewski
Administrator
Thanks, John.
1/6/2022
Shane Lanning
Rick - ever thought of doing a upper level 3 v 3 league in Cottage Grove micro rink? The upper level league at Woog / VMCC in So St Paul & Inver Grove was fun but seemed like registrations dwindled down to 75% interest so rosters didn't fill to have successful league.
The 3 v 3 in Rosemount is really popular and tough to get into and a guy that ran the Outlaws AHA team ran a successful league last summer that was fun so I think there would certainly be interest.
Just a thought
Shane
1/6/2022
Rick Banaszewski
Administrator
Hey Shane - I have thought about doing something on the 3v3 rink because that's where a group of Cottage coaches started when we didn't have a large enough group for full ice and had a ball. Definitely something we can look into!
1/6/2022
Matthew Wellendorf
Parade 3v3 lower level on their mini rink. For a short period, JMS had that as a Saturday afternoon (maybe 1 pm start?). It has been a while though.
1/6/2022
Rick Banaszewski
Administrator
Thanks, Matthew.
1/6/2022
Wayne Rhoades
I know typically AV will move to Burnsville hopefully that continues. Still have good south metro support even when it moves. Or I have seen it go to Rosemount as well in the past. Just some thoughts for the south metro folks like myself. :)
1/7/2022
Adam Nordstrom
Lower level or intermediate closer to Coon Rapids/Blaine would be great
1/10/2022
Haakan Light
I'd love to see something more central to the metro corridor. There are so many south metro skates and not enough in the north metro. Some in the middle ground (like Roseville) are really nice to have. Blaine would be great to see for sure. And, any effort to keep the south metro skates from moving FARTHER south would be appreciated. I have been taking a large number of nets and it would be great to continue doing that (we seem to need more goalies all the time...). However, anything farther south than Apple Valley is just too far!
1/10/2022
Haakan Light
One other note: I think a lot of folks would be happy with a Wednesday or Monday skate if the ice time was a better start time (like 830-9pm) as opposed to a Tues/Thurs where we fight with HS hockey for ice times and start at 945-1015pm. Start times that get past 930pm (except fridays) are very challenging especially if you have any distance to drive afterwards! But, with ANY successful skate that lasts, the people are what make it enjoyable and sustainable! :)
1/10/2022
Rick Banaszewski
Administrator
Agree with you, Haakan. As you know, we did try an upper level in Blaine for a short time, but did not get one to fill. We will, however, try again spring/summer and will look for earlier ice times. Maybe we'll try an All level game to give more skaters a chance to try JMS to start.
1/10/2022
Haakan Light
All Level skates can be a lot of fun! It's good to have a mixture of options!
1/14/2022
James Deters
As a goalie who lives in the Hastings, more rinks that are in the SE are extremely welcome!
1/16/2022
Ryan Tuveson
I think Blaine is a good place to try to grow. You compete with the league that they have there but for JMS there isn’t much in the north metro. I live quite a ways north but do like the maple grove and Roseville game however it is sad to see Roseville has been falling off a good bit. I have been skating at my local rink and spreading the word about JMS and they have a great interest in joining a spring league team with me and we are willing to make the drive, but a shot at pick up in the north metro would would be nice too to knock out some games. Again, I think it’s a tough market to crack with the league there but opening it up to all levels would help.
1/17/2022
Rick Banaszewski
Administrator
Thanks James and Ryan.
1/26/2022
Luke Marchiafava
A Monday or Wednesday Intermediate level on the N side would be nice. Tues and Thursday there are 2-3 options. Monday there's only a late Lower level at Woog that seems to fill pretty well. And Wednesday at Polar fills in 1 hour and can't sign up if you don't wake up at 4 am to get it. I think a intermediate Wednesday would compliment the lower level at Polar well and fill up fast as well.
1/26/2022
Luke Marchiafava
And to build off what Ryan said. Superink runs a league. I myself am a "wild adult league" Refugee. Ran a team for 6 years. We disbanded because we were tired if how chippy the league is there. If JMS could get a intermediate level there and draw some attention to a more "casual" game, I think we would have no problem getting people to sign up for it.
1/27/2022
Rick Banaszewski
Administrator
Thanks, Luke. I am still planning to get ice in Blaine, but am leaning towards and All level skate to start, which will give us a good idea of what to expect player-wise and can pivot from there. Hoping I can share some news in the next couple weeks.
1/27/2022
David Doroff
Stillwater? Sunday night. Maybe bring in more Western Wisconsin $$.