4 Advice to Choose a Hockey Dasher Boards

Choosing the most suitable dasher board solution for your facility can be quite a challenge when considering improvements for your ice rink. Should you refurbish your existing boards, opt for used ones, or invest in a brand-new setup?

For more insights, you can find more information on our website.

The Becker Arena Products team has accumulated three decades of experience aiding municipalities and private organizations in determining the best solutions for ice rink projects. Our extensive experience allows us to provide clear and practical advice. Here are three examples of projects we've undertaken to assist you in making an informed dasher board decision.

Refurbishing Existing Dasher Boards | Robert Lorenzen, General Manager, Ashburn Ice House, Ashburn, Virginia

The Ashburn Ice House operates year-round, hosting various programs including hockey and learn-to-skate sessions. After deciding to convert our facility from R22 to ammonia and brine, we temporarily shut down operations for eight weeks. During this period, we aimed to upgrade our 18-year-old dasher boards.

After inspecting the boards, we found them to be in good condition, warranting no need for disposal or replacement with new boards. The boards had minor damages, such as worn kick plates and some screws poking through, and we were also concerned about compatibility with the existing concrete foundation.

Ultimately, financial considerations led us to the conclusion that removal and replacement would cost $150,000, while the cost of removing, reconditioning, and reinstalling them was $112,000, saving us $40,000. Becker disassembled the boards for reconditioning, replaced the kick plate, and even added a new Zamboni gate. In just eight weeks, our boards were back on-site, with the installation completed in five days.

Purchasing Used Dasher Boards | Andrew Rice, Director of Parks, Recreation & Library, Alamosa Multi-Use Pavilion, Alamosa, Colorado

Our city-owned recreational facility operates a seasonal ice rink at a local park. Several years ago, we had acquired our existing boards, which were over 20 years old, from another municipality in Colorado. Unfortunately, exposure to high-altitude weather conditions caused the boards to buckle and made maintenance increasingly difficult. Consequently, we decided to develop a partially covered building with a seasonally refrigerated rink.

Becker expertly guided us through evaluating our dasher board options. After ruling out refurbishing the existing boards and determining new boards were not viable within our budget largely supported by private contributions and community grants, Becker recommended seeking used dasher boards.

Through their extensive network, Becker found a suitable option in Winona, Minnesota. The boards still had substantial life remaining, and we collaborated with Becker to retrofit them according to our facility's needs.

We valued our relationship with Becker Arena Products, which played a key role in our selection process. Their expertise and professionalism reinforced our decision to continue our partnership with Becker Arena Products for rink supplies and future improvements. The community was thrilled with this development; without the upgrades, we would have faced an entire season without skating.

Investing in New Dasher Boards | John Arbeiter, Senior General Manager, McKendree Metro Rec Plex, O'Fallon, Illinois

Our membership facility encompasses a total area of 160,000 square feet with two distinct rinks—one is sand-based while the other is concrete. The sand rink accommodates seating for 60 to 70 spectators, and our concrete rink functions as an arena for about 2,000 attendees. Additionally, our facility features two swimming pools, a gymnasium, a weight room, and a walking track.

Becker Arena Products assisted us in sourcing dasher boards for our new facility encompassing both rink types. I had specific requirements for my NHL-sized rink: 28-foot radius corners, tempered glass, and distinct color schemes. Quality was my primary concern; I aimed for boards that would last at least a decade. Through our exploration of options, we found that facilities typically use dasher boards until they are beyond repair, making it challenging to source used boards able to withstand long-term use.

Ultimately, after thorough deliberation, we decided that new boards offered the best long-term value. They also allowed for customization with my facility’s colors of black, purple, and gold, a unique feature since Becker indicated it was the only instance of those colors in boards they manufactured, despite producing over 60 rinks annually.

In the arena products sector, there is no "one-size-fits-all." We collaborate with you to understand your priorities, the specific requirements of your rink, and your budget to deliver the right dasher boards and equipment for your facility. Contact us today to find the perfect solution for your ice rink.

Enhancing Your Synthetic Ice Training Experience

Once you've established your synthetic ice surface, it's important to consider additional components to create an authentic hockey rink atmosphere. Two primary objectives include effective puck containment and minimizing broken windows during shooting drills.

Whether your rink is located in your backyard, a spare room, or in a commercial setting, you may be pondering, "Are hockey boards necessary for a synthetic ice rink?"

While hockey boards are not mandatory for enjoying your synthetic ice benefits, they significantly contribute to the safety of skaters and spectators, depending on the rink's size.

Beyond safety, boards can aid in practicing game strategies, though it's ultimately your decision whether to incorporate them into your setup.

As hockey boards are a common sight at NHL venues, you might consider them essential, or if you're crafty, you could create a budget-friendly board system yourself.

Understanding Hockey Boards

Hockey "dasher" boards essentially act as the boundaries of your rink. A standard hockey rink comprises long side boards accompanied by end boards and corner boards framing each zone.

Located near the center red line in the Neutral Zone, one of the side boards provides entrances for players, with penalty box doors located on the opposite side.

Standard Collegiate or NHL rinks consist of two main components. The lower section is the dasher board itself, typically paired with tempered glass that can reach several feet in height, especially behind the goal.

The primary purpose of hockey boards is to keep the puck in play while preventing injuries to attendees. Additionally, they are vital in both offensive and defensive game strategies.

Quality hockey boards are available for smaller home rinks as well as larger recreational alternatives as either temporary or permanent installations.

Materials Used for Hockey Boards

The most effective hockey dasher boards are crafted from polyethylene sheet material, recognized for its durability and ability to absorb energy, making it ideal for resisting puck impacts and checking.

Dasher boards are typically a minimum of 1/2 inch thick and between 40-42 inches high, though they can reach a maximum height of 48 inches.

Standard rink boards often feature a yellow-painted "kick-plate" at the bottom, complemented by blue or red "cap-rail" trims at the top. In professional arenas, certain board areas are painted with blue or red to reflect the lines on the ice.

For any home or commercial rinks, constructing walls can be accomplished using plywood rather than traditional rink shielding systems, especially beneficial for winter backyard rinks.

While plywood boards offer a cost-effective alternative, they do not match the durability provided by polyethylene.

Pros and Cons of Using Hockey Boards

For those owning synthetic ice rinks, it’s essential to determine whether investing in premier hockey boards is the right move.

Consideration should be given to the rink's intended usage and its primary users. If expecting children and families to engage in friendly games, installing boards can enhance enjoyment and closely resemble competitive play.

However, if the rink serves merely as a recreational space, side boards may not be essential.

Below are some advantages and disadvantages to reflect on:

• Pros
  • Provides safety
  • Commercial advertising space
  • Reduces time spent searching for pucks
  • Facilitates more physical gameplay
  • Durable and long-lasting
• Cons
  • Installation can be costly
  • Requires skilled labor for safe installation and removal
  • Increased time spent on maintenance and cleaning
  • Possible risk of injuries during boarding
  • Outdoor rinks may necessitate UV inhibitors

Hockey Strategy and the Role of Boards

Hockey boards play a crucial role in enhancing gameplay flow and strategy as players learn to utilize them effectively to elevate their performance levels. For younger skaters at home, introducing rebound dasher curbs alongside synthetic ice may be advantageous.

Having boards aids in developing skills such as receiving pucks that bounce off the boards and utilizing specific angles to gain competitive advantages.

The boards are valuable in passing, defending, and orchestrating plays by "banking it" off the boards at strategic angles, facilitating smoother teamwork transitions. As a defenseman, one can leverage kitchen barriers to shield the puck from opponents, effectively managing possession before deciding on the next move.

Setting Up Hockey Boards for Your Synthetic Ice Rink

If you're contemplating setting up boards, several factors need consideration.

• What materials will you use—wood, plastic, or durable polyethylene?
• Will you purchase pre-made boards?

Each choice has its pros and cons.

Portable Boards

For easy assembly and disassembly, ready-made polyethylene boards are an excellent option, though they can be expensive. Alternatively, if you possess time and a limited budget, building your rink walls from scratch may be the better route.

First, accurately measure your synthetic ice dimensions to ascertain how many boards you will need for your project. If your rink has curved corners, be sure to incorporate this into your measurements. Always ensure the rink is on level ground to prevent uneven wall placements.

Anchoring and Installation

Rink boards will require brackets for stability, which you can acquire at a hardware store or from your rink wall supplier. Each bracket should be adequately anchored into the ground to handle the board's weight and connect corners and sections together. Remember, having assistance from a friend or a knowledgeable builder is advisable to ensure proper installation.

• Place each board along the rink's edges.
• Begin with the corners by positioning two boards side by side.
• Connect one corner using the provided brackets. After securing it, test the board's sturdiness—it should be strong enough to support your weight.
• Work around the rink, ensuring each board is connected and anchored in place.
• For added safety during collisions, consider installing bumpers either by purchasing them or constructing your own using foam.

Exploring Rebounding Dasher Curbs

For those with tight budgets, a rebounding dasher curb could serve as a practical substitute. The BounceBar by PolyGlide Ice, for instance, is designed to enhance synthetic rink aesthetics and functionality.

This custom strip stands roughly three inches high and utilizes high-reactive foam to create effective rebound scenarios, allowing players to practice puck reception at various angles.

These bars can be combined or curved to cater to different rink configurations, offering an accessible way to refine puck handling skills without a substantial financial commitment.

It's worth noting that different hockey board materials yield varying puck responses. Wood boards may dampen puck movement, unlike standard polyethylene boards. If your primary goal is safety, material choice is less crucial; however, if focusing on training, professional-grade boards are recommended.

The Final Takeaway

While hockey boards are not obligatory for crafting a synthetic ice rink, they do provide numerous benefits, including enhancing safety, aesthetics, and crucial training skills.

With options like rebounders or bounce bars available, there's flexibility in completing your home synthetic ice rink project.

Are you ready to elevate your synthetic ice rink experience?

To explore more, visit our website: Hockey Dasher Boards.