FREQUENTLY ASKED ICE QUESTIONS
How many hours of ice do the Lakers purchase in a year?
The Lakers ice season is divided into four distinct periods. The
tryout period is held each April. Each of our seven teams (Major Midget begins in the Fall) requires six practices to determine their respective teams. A total of 63 hours are consumed for tryouts.
Training and pre-season commences in mid August and runs until mid September. In 2010, a total of 220 hours will be used. The
regular season goes from late Sep to early Feb (start of playoffs). This period includes practices and home games for eight teams and totals 825 hours. Each team plays a minimum of two
playoff rounds while continuing with 2 practices per week until season end. Last year, the playoff period consumed 140 hours.
Total Hours Used by the Lakers During the Season – approx. 1,250 hours
Do the Lakers pay a subsidized ice rental rate?
The Lakers are classified as a minor youth organization with most municipalities. As such, the Lakers pay the minor hockey preferred rates.
What does hourly ice time cost?
The average hourly rental rate is $115 including HST.
How do the Lakers select their Home arenas?
The Lakers consider many factors in determining their home arenas. The primary factor is
Availability. There are 29 arenas within the Huron-Perth zone. Ice time is scarce in most centres, particularly during the week. Over the past 12 years of Laker hockey, the Lakers have been able to secure guaranteed ice time at certain arenas. Guaranteed means that the Lakers have first right of refusal on ice previously rented. A second factor is
Reliability. The Lakers are reluctant to release guaranteed ice since it is very difficult to obtain “new” guaranteed ice. A third factor is
Service. The Lakers search out and are loyal to arenas who treat the Lakers as a primary tenant.
Can the Lakers obtain new guaranteed ice time?
Despite the difficulty in obtaining new guaranteed ice, each year the Lakers contact local arenas to see if there may be an opportunity. This past year, St. Mary’s, Brussels, Palmerston, Stratford, Hensall, Milverton, Zurich and Listowel were contacted for ice availability. The training and preseason periods will see ice rented in some of these centres. The regular season is the most difficult period to obtain ice. This period is known as the contract ice period. The Lakers sign a contract with each municipality in which ice is rented. The contract obligates the arena to ensure ice is available at the agreed upon times. In turn, the Lakers are obligated to rent the ice for the entire contract season, regardless of whether the ice is used.
Are there any changes in contract ice for 2010-2011?
A new Thursday night ice slot was arranged in Milverton. A new ice slot is available on Sunday at Allman arena in Stratford. This will be used mostly by our Midget team.
Can the Lakers resell excess ice?
The Laker practice and game schedule is completed in July and August of each year. This allows the ice convenor to know if excess ice exists. The first priority is to offer excess ice back to the municipality. Usually, with long-term notice, the municipality can resell the ice for the Lakers.
Can an individual Laker team purchase additional ice?
Individual teams may purchase additional ice as they see fit. The ice is purchased in the name of the Lakers either by the ice convenor, coach or manager. During the regular season, the Lakers provide each team with 8 monthly practices plus ice for their homes games. If a team decides to purchase additional ice beyond Laker ice, the team bears responsibility to pay for this ice. This is one reason each team is involved with team fundraising.
What determines practice locations for Laker teams?
The Executive recognizes that Laker players come from all over the Huron-Perth zone. An organization objective is to minimize travel requirements for all Laker families. This is attempted by having a variety of practice arenas spread through the Huron-Perth zone. In the 2010-2011 season, Laker teams will practice in ten different arenas. A second determination is practice start time. Ideally, Atom and PeeWee practice times should start no later than 6:00 or 6:30. Unfortunately, early start times are scarce within the Huron-Perth zone. The older teams, Bantam to Minor Midget are most likely to have later start times. The latest practice start time is 8:30.
Do Coaches have influence on practice locations?
Coaches are given input on practice nights. For example, if a coach has a conflict and cannot practice on a certain night, the ice convenor will attempt to avoid that particular night. Practice locations are not influenced by the residence of the coach.
How are game locations determined?
Most homes games are played on weekends. On Saturday, the Lakers have ice in St. Marys and Stratford arenas. On Sunday, game ice is available at Goderich MRC, Allman arena and in St. Marys. An attempt is made to provide venue variety for each Laker team.
Why so many mid week games?
Kitchener, Brantford and Cambridge have limited weekend ice. These organizations reserve weekend ice for far away centres such as Chatham-Kent, Windsor, Sun County and Lambton. The teams in our division are left to fill in the mid-week games.
What are some of the roles of the Ice Convenor?
Compile the practice and regular game schedule for each team. Organize the ice schedule for tryouts and playoffs. Record game scores on BladeNet. Determine if a game is to be cancelled. Negotiate with municipalities for ice time. Attend municipal ice user meetings. Participate on the Lakers Hockey Operations committee.
If you have further questions regarding “ice” or the ice convenor’s role, please contact the Lakers Ice Convenor,
Mich Landry.
