Ice hockey is one of the most intense and fast-paced sports in the world. The sport is known for its high-energy intermittent skating, fast swings, quick change of pace and duration - and a lot of body contact.
It all is made possible because of the ice on the rink.
If you've ever attended a live hockey game or enjoyed watching it on television, you might be curious to know more about the ice surface and its total thickness.
This article will show you more information about the thickness of the ice in a hockey rink.
Ice Hockey Rink Thickness
The NHL has specific rules about hockey rink dimensions and ice thickness.
Each rink is 200 feet by 85 feet and uses ice that typically is 3/4 of an inch or 0.75" thick, which equates to 19.05 millimeters or 1.905 centimeters.
Many of you might assume a hockey rink's ice is extraordinarily thick, given how well it can withstand having dozens of players skating on it at once.
However, super thick ice on a hockey rink is not preferable. The thicker the ice is, the softer and slower it will be for players. Thinner ice is best because the ice will be harder, allowing the game to be faster.
Meanwhile, an outdoor ice-skating rink's ice surface may have a variable thickness. They don't need to be constructed using NHL-style ice.
Since there is no need for an ice skater to have extreme speed as hockey players, the ice thickness of an outdoor skating rink can reach 1.5 inches or even thicker.
How Hockey Rink Ice Is Made
Many believe all you need to do to make the ice on a hockey rink is to pour a lot of water on the rink and wait for it to freeze. Well, the process is much more sophisticated and comprehensive than that.
A massive indirect refrigeration system is utilized to help the ice hockey surface freeze and stay at the necessary temperature. With the help of a network of pipes beneath the ice, this refrigeration device can pump up to 10,000 gallons of freezing brine water each minute.
The water used as brine is ordinary water with dissolved alkaline salts, which gives it a slight stickiness. Brine water freezes at temperatures lower than ordinary water, which means it can be circulated through pipes without freezing, while still being cold enough to freeze the water on top of the concrete floors in the rink.
The ultimate technique of creating the rinks is by layering the ice.
An ultra-thin layer of ice is sprayed straight over the cold concrete and immediately freezes. Once the layer of ice has formed, smaller layers of ice, each measuring a fraction of an inch, are sprayed onto the top layer of ice. Then, the process of layering will continue until the desired thickness of ice is achieved.
Learning little-known facts about the sport we watch, especially the technical aspects of the ice, is interesting for hockey fans.
Ice hockey is a thrilling sport that relies heavily on the precise conditions of the ice rink. I've had the opportunity to delve into the intricate details of ice formation and maintenance, which are pivotal aspects of this sport's infrastructure.
Firstly, let's talk about the dimensions of the rink itself. The standard NHL rink measures 200 feet by 85 feet. The ice on this rink, contrary to common assumption, is relatively thin, usually around 0.75 inches (19.05 millimeters or 1.905 centimeters) thick. This thickness is a result of a delicate balance; thicker ice tends to be softer, slowing down the game, while thinner ice maintains a harder surface, facilitating faster gameplay.
The process of creating and maintaining this ice involves a sophisticated refrigeration system. Contrary to popular belief, it's not just about pouring water and waiting for it to freeze. Instead, an indirect refrigeration system, equipped with a network of pipes beneath the surface, pumps freezing brine water at a rate of up to 10,000 gallons per minute. This brine, a mixture of water and alkaline salts, has a lower freezing point than ordinary water, allowing it to circulate through pipes without freezing while remaining cold enough to freeze the water on the concrete floor of the rink.
The ice formation is a layered process, starting with an ultra-thin initial layer sprayed directly onto the cold concrete, which instantly freezes. Successive layers, each a fraction of an inch thick, are then sprayed onto the existing ice surface until the desired thickness is achieved.
Outdoor skating rinks, in contrast, don't adhere to the NHL standards. They can have variable ice thickness, often reaching up to 1.5 inches or more. This thicker ice isn't necessary for extreme speed but provides added insulation against outdoor elements and allows for a more leisurely skating experience.
Understanding these technicalities adds depth to one's appreciation of the sport, especially for avid hockey enthusiasts keen on unraveling the intricate details behind the scenes of the high-speed, adrenaline-pumping game.
