Rink Owners

As far as the rinks are concern, the problem is the rink owners are driving their business into the ground. Their ice rental fees are too high and destroying Hockey so either they get a new business model or the existing system is going to force change. They will have to change with it or go out of business.

Most clubs are going to be forced to look at how they are running as it stands now. Some of the organizations are paying in excess of $200,000 in ice fees which means the fees for some High School Teams are approaching if not exceeding the cost of AAA programs. It also means they are getting to the point where they would be better off owning and running their own rinks. Which will lead in some cases that High School clubs will either form equity ownerships with the rinks or clubs’ will have to figure out new business models to exists either way they will force the rink ownership models to change.

The point is we have come to a cross roads with Illinois Hockey and either we embrace change or watch as it continues to spiral out of existence.