Allan named as having one of Saskatchewan’s coldest rinks

This weekend’s deep freeze might have many avoiding the cold, but for those competing in a hockey tournament at the Allan Communiplex there’s no choice but to embrace it.

It’s not easy, though, with some calling it the coldest place to play hockey in Saskatchewan.

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“This is the coldest rink I’ve ever been to,” nine-year-old Billy Ross said, who plays for the Saskatoon Comets.

Her 10-year-old cousin and teammate Rowan Fitzpatrick shared similar feelings.

“It’s probably one of the coldest rinks,” she said.

Rowan Fitzpatrick, left, and Billy Ross, right, say their fingers have frozen while sitting on the bench at Allan’s hockey rink. (Marija Robinson/650 CKOM)

Within the first few hours during day 1 of the U11 tournament, Ross and Fitzpatrick already had some frozen experiences to share.

“When I was on the bench, my face was really cold. My feet were burning because they were so cold and my hands — the coaches had to blow on my hands with their gloves,” Ross said.

Fitzpatrick’s hands also went numb while sitting on the bench thanks to the cold, so much so that she needed help from her cousin.

“I had to untie her skates because her fingers can’t move,” Ross said.

Their frozen fingers aren’t a consequence of coming unprepared, though, with the girls explaining how they put warmers in their skates and wear a second set of gloves.

Parent Mark Fitzpatrick said he’s been to a lot of hockey rinks, but Allan’s is definitely one of the coldest. (Marija Robinson/650 CKOM)

Other contenders for coldest rink

For Mark Fitzpatrick though, Rowan’s dad, Langham and Dundurn have frigid hockey rinks.

But, “don’t get me wrong, Allan’s probably in the top three,” he said.

Parent Katie Morrow, who was sitting on the bleachers underneath a blanket and heater as her daughter played, said the coldest rink in her opinion is the one in Dysart.

Even still, she said the girls on her daughter’s hockey team were complaining so much about how cold their ears were in Allan’s rink that, “one of the moms just ran to get things for their ears.”

Morrow also noted how the change rooms are “freezing.”

But, Fitzpatrick said it’s all par for the course.

“We’ll manage. We’re from Saskatchewan, right? This is the way hockey’s supposed to be sometimes,” he said.

Getting creative to stay warm

Managing the cold comes with more than just warmers in skates and extra layers, though.

“One of the other teams actually brought their own electric heater to plug it in their bench, so they’re right on top of things,” Fitzpatrick said.

Comets head coach, Pam Shwydiuk, said the key is to keep the players moving, with Fitzpatrick explaining how the coach will sing songs with the girls to get them dancing.

When all those warming tactics fail, there’s always the possibility to go hang out close to the kitchen.

Warming up by the fryer

While everyone else dons their coats and blankets, Allan Communiplex kitchen manager, Tonia Peters, dresses for summer.

“I’m actually wearing a T-shirt when I come in, because I know that by the end of the day if I wear too many clothes I’m gonna have to take a layer off,” she said.

Her “personal experience” at the rink isn’t one of feeling frozen. That’s because Peters spends her shift working the grill and fryer.

“I am in the sweet spot, for sure,” she said.

So, while the goal is to make those at the rink feel comfortable, Peters said her suggestion for anyone needing extra warmth is to, “head to the kitchen.”

For players Fitzpatrick and Ross, though, hanging out where the food’s happening isn’t always an option.

Regardless of the frigid environment, the chilly temperatures can’t freeze their passion when it comes to hockey.

“I feel really good when I’m on the ice,” Ross said, about why she plays the sport. “I like to win all the time.”

When asked the same question, Fitzpatrick said, “I like playing with the team. I think of it as like a family.”

Read more:

• Tropical hotspot in Regina a welcome oasis during Saskatchewan’s deep freeze
• Extreme cold putting Saskatchewan car batteries to the test
• Zebras cozy up at Saskatoon zoo as snow leopard sunbathes in extreme cold