Ice hockey in the Madison area (Sun Prairie, Verona: appointed, college, live)

[jrhuh]

Hi again,

As I posted before, my husband, children, and I are hoping to relocate to the Madison area this summer, permanently. My husband is from Minneapolis, and is an avid ice hockey player (played all his life, practically). Since we have had our first son (4 years ago) though, he has not played very much. He used to play adult pick-up hockey when he could, but the most decent place and players were almost an hour away, here in the D.C. area, where we currently live. Needless to say, he is very disappointed with the availability of and skills of hockey players out in this area. He's not the greatest of course, but in Minn, hockey playing was/is so common and easily accessible. He misses that and he misses the skill level of the people he used to play with. So I am hoping it is like that in the Madison area, since it is also a big "winter" area, and only 4 hours away from Minneapolis. He would love to get back into it. Does anyone know the best places to grab a good, serious pick-up game (or even informal teams) for somewhat skilled adult players?? Thanks!

[debuschan]

hi -- my wife left me this to respond. Yes, there is plenty of hockey in the madison area.

Verona
[url=http://www.eaglesnestarena.com]Welcome to the Eagles Nest[/url] The best league, late monday nights. This is where I have played for 8 years. Competitive. Many players from DIII college, some Badger graduates, and the usual overachieving hacks who never made it beyond HS. This is the league to get into.

Open hockey at the UW Shell
UW Division of Recreational Sports (http://www.recsports.wisc.edu/shell/iceschedule.html - broken link) This is hit or miss. havent been there in many years. sometimes it is 10 players on each bench which is a drag.

Cap Ice
www.madisoncapitols.com/ There is ice here, but no league that I know of.

There are also leagues in Sun Prairie and on the east side at the Hartmeyer [url=http://www.madisonicearena.com/]MADISON ICE ARENA[/url], but the rinks are not as nice and its an all out clutch and grab hack hockey if you're up for limping or stitches.

The outdoor ice is getting more and more disappointing each year. I used to be able to skate at many of the parks, but it seems to be a last priority.

Hockey here is not minnesota, but it is descent hockey.

Hope this helps.

cu

Originally Posted by jrhuh

Hi again,

As I posted before, my husband, children, and I are hoping to relocate to the Madison area this summer, permanently. My husband is from Minneapolis, and is an avid ice hockey player (played all his life, practically). Since we have had our first son (4 years ago) though, he has not played very much. He used to play adult pick-up hockey when he could, but the most decent place and players were almost an hour away, here in the D.C. area, where we currently live. Needless to say, he is very disappointed with the availability of and skills of hockey players out in this area. He's not the greatest of course, but in Minn, hockey playing was/is so common and easily accessible. He misses that and he misses the skill level of the people he used to play with. So I am hoping it is like that in the Madison area, since it is also a big "winter" area, and only 4 hours away from Minneapolis. He would love to get back into it. Does anyone know the best places to grab a good, serious pick-up game (or even informal teams) for somewhat skilled adult players?? Thanks!

[jrhuh]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm glad there will be something for him. He needs and really wants to get back into it.

[janosphere88]

I play in Sauk Prairie on Friday nights 9:15 till 11ish. It's open beginner hockey for $5. There's some guys who are pretty good (and some women as well) but mostly we just have a great time for a few hours. Check it out
Sauk Prairie Youth Hockey Association - (Prairie du Sac, WI) - powered by LeagueLineup.com

also, there's men's leagues Sunday nights at Hartmeyer Ice Arena if he's more experienced and leagues at Sun Prairie Ice Arena, too. Lots of outdoor rinks as well - Tenney Park has boards up and a large lagoon check out the Madison Parks and Rec site City of Madison Parks: Welcome to the Madison Parks Division
for info

[larson]

Are these legues or pick up games appropriate for people who intermediate players. I am looking to get more ice time and like someone else said, the city is making the rinks a last priority