Synthetic Ice/Iceless skating rinks?

Question

I remember we had this question asked here once before, but no one really knew what this was. Well, now Japan has debuted the technology and will be using it to replace real ice-skating rinks, which are a financial burden: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/nhl_experts/post/Goodbye-Zamboni-Japanese-debut-iceless-skating;_ylt=An7KSG5DikMJpmvoicol_4R7vLYF?urn=nhl,83652

The way she's skating, it looks as good real ice to me... Has anyone ever skated on it? Do you think it would be possible that some time in the future, NHL games will be played on this surface? Any other thoughts?

Answer 1

I wouldn't want the tradition to be changed to artificial ice, that would just be retarded.

Answer 2

I've skated on this stuff before. It really isn't that great, but if you need to fit ina a quick practice, then you've found the right stuff. Fortunately, it will never replace ice in the NHL because it dulls the skate blades too much, it is harder to fix (you can't just run over it with a zamboni), and, personally, I like the feeling of being hot and falling to the ice and being cooled off in a second.

Answer 3

I don't think the NHL needs to change to synth ice.

But I can't wait to see that here in the states, some outdoor public rinks.  That'd be a trip to see people playing hockey along California beaches.

Answer 4

This is nothing new. The plastic used is called SHDPE (super high density polyethylene) it is very hard, but has properties that give it a bit of flexibility, this allows the skate blade to "dig in" without slicing into it.

I have worked at a training facility in the Dallas area that had a small rink, and 3 goalie shooting lanes. The stuff is amazingly close to the performance of ice. And yes, some of the things they say about it are basically true as well. You do have shavings, and it is a bit more resistive to gliding, it's hotter to play at a rink that has this, but it isn't ice! There should be some trade offs, since melting ice as the blades move over it is one of the slickest things known to man.

That having been said, it is a very viable training aid, as the increased resistance builds up muscle that when yopu step onto ice, it will feel much like a baseball player swinging a weighted bat prior to stepping up to the plate with a lighter bat. You will be quicker, and have a bit more stamina.

I was amazed that I didn't really have to alter the way I skated that much.I did notice it takes a bit longer to stop, and there is a bit of slippage when trying to start rapidly.

You still have to "resurface" it from time to time. The only thing is, you are using a giant blade to remove the cut marks, and even out the surface again. Then you vacuum it. Then you need to apply a layer of wax, or we used a silcone based spray after scraping it.

While I don't see synthetic ice replacing standard ice rinks, I do see the possibility of more training facilities utilizing this technology.

Answer 5

TSN had their own "rink" inside their studio a few years ago (don't know what happened to it). It was made out of wax and the commentators literally had hockey skates on to demonstrate some of the plays that were going on in the games. It looked like they were going up against the wind, so to say, because they had to make that extra effort just to go that extra half foot. I have a sneaking suspicion that this figure skater had a similar problem, but not by much.

I beg to differ with Jeff. This will be the new ice surface for all things hockey once the technology is perfected. With the rising cost of energy, financially less-endowed organizations are drooling at how much this will save them. Back in the '03 Finals, CBC aired the giant hoses that were added on underneath the ice just to keep it cold. I remember thinking how much the energy bill must've been. If this'll save arenas a few million dollars in bills, they will jump at the opportunity.

Answer 6

It’s not what I've skated on but on an episode of extreme home makeover back when the show was young they had an episode where they put a synthetic rink in their back yard. That synthetic was relatively smooth and easy to skate on, it may be the same material as used on the show, as they were both resign based. I personally thing this would be a huge money saver for the NHL, but without the right improvements the synthetic, will be just that, fake.

Answer 7

Synthetic ice isn't new at all.  I skated on it a few years ago at a hockey training facility.  Basically all the stuff is, is a sheet of a special type of plastic with scattered silicone/wax dust all over it.



It's a lot worse than they make it sound.  Imagine (or if you have them than try it) skating on carpet with rollerblades.  That's what it's like.  It's really hard to move which might be good for conditioning except they don't really make them bigger than about 30 feet long by 12 feet wide.



For those who wonder how the puck reacts, it's actually very close.  Still a little slower like when real ice heavily used with a lot of snow on  it.  It's just the skating that is the most affected.



i.e.: I practiced on it as a goalie which wasn't all that detrimental to it's effectiveness.

Answer 8

Hmmm, good Q. I've "skated" on it some. The rink I skate at has a small area covered with the stuff, maybe they don't keep it up well or sumthin, bc it doesn't seem anything like ice to me. when I've stepped on it with skates on, it's hard to stand on, you can't get your edges into it, and i can't move unless I just pick my feet up and walk. I've also heard that it wears your skate blades down much faster, and it's hard on the joints. As far as if the NHL might start using it for games, with Betteman running things, who knows.  Another thought I have is that in the article you linked to, it mentions that it's only 90% as slippery as ice, which would seem to me it would slow the game down by 90%. Also, it mentions how there aren't all of the complicated moves in hockey as there are in figure skates, but, in order to move eficiently, the skating in hockey is not just forwards and backwards, there's some pretty complicated moves as well. I think since  this fake ice service must be harder then real ice, (or else it would be cut away after a bit of skating on it) then it would be harder to find the edges of the skates blades.

So, that's my two cents worth, very good Q.

Answer 9

I don't think NHL games will ever be played on fake ice. That said, I can imagine a lot of smaller rinks starting up using it, but I doubt many rinks will switch. The equipment is there for the real ice, and the established customers there might not like it.

I know somebody who's played on it, and apparently the silicone dust takes weeks to get out of pads (he's a goalie)

Silicone dust cased by that stuff can't be completely healthy either.

It'll get a lot bigger as a practice surface though.

Other thoughts: Great to put in a basement once I get my own house...

Answer 10

you know, if they perfect this stuff so its no different than ice, this could be the future of the nhl....bad ice woulndt be a problem!

Answer 11

It's a great idea,

but then again I doubt the NHL would that affect the way our players play?

I don't think the NHL would buy it.

Mitsubishi - lmao! that's a fun word to say!

Answer 12

I've played on synthetic ice and to be honest i really disliked it. First off, playing on the cold ice is one of the best parts of hockey, it's not a "fairweather" sport, so taking out the ice would be a huge dissappointment. Then, the amount of b.s. you'd have to go through getting it approved by the nhlpa, owners, fans, and all the studies you'd have to go through to decide if it was better or safer or more cost efficient, it sounds like a big waste of time and money.  Besides it also eliminates the need for a zamboni, and i dont think anybody would like that. And what happens when someone takes a big hunk out of the surface, would you have to stop play and replace that section?

Answer 13

couple things jumped out at me... 90% the speed of real ice.  that means the fastest game on earth would get slowed down.  I know it was just a promo video but i never saw her go for anything that sharp or sudden, more of a steady gentle glide with couple twist in.  BIGGEST question, how will the puck react to it.  would it cause sluggish pucks and increase in odd bounces.  I mirror some of Jeff's comments on great for the small rinks and maybe some personal use, but I think it has long way to go before it is used for professional hockey games, at any level.

also Wayne wont allow it, he has his new skates coming out and im sure the heat does nothing on a room temputure surface.

Answer 14

I see divots causing a brand new kind of problem.  

There are already limits to it - no more triple sow kows for Jeremy Roenick.  What about those quick, sliding side stops that the players make?  I don't see it being very good for the sport that we know today.  For recreational use, it may be fine.  Professionally, I don't think it's a good idea.  

I don't like it.

Answer 15

I am not sure if it is the same surface, but there is a place near the Trenton Devils (ECHL team) training facility that has a treadmill that you skate on.  While my skates worked on it, it still felt different.  Would I object to playing a game on it, nope, not at all.  If it works and keeps cost down for kids trying to get into the game I am all for it.  The article states that it saves nearly $200K per year on water and cooling systems my immediate question is towards the durability of the surface.  Here in Philly, many sheets are used for a minimum of 12 hours per day.  Can this artifical surface hold that up for the same amount of time?  The only other issue I may have with it is temperature.  The warmest building I ever skated in was the old Hersheypark Arena.  I could see issues with rinks being too warm.  It's probably something that everyone would get used to but it would still be an issue to open with.

Answer 16

I don't know if I like it.....eh, I like OUR good old fashion ice, Not this Japanese plastic stuff.

Answer 17

i have never skated on on, but theres one where i live kinda, but its not a rink, more of a shooting range...kinda like a bating cage for baseball, but this is one for hockey. But anyway...it sounds cool and i would like to try it out...from what i hear...theres alot more resistance then regular ice so it works out your legs more and you have to push yourself harder. You prob feel really hot considereing that the rink is not kept cold bc theres no ice. Personally, i would like to stick with ice for NHL and rinks, because its called ice hockey for something. Right? You can also go to this web site and actually buy a few squares of synthetic ice to put in your drive way to shot the puck on- this one without skates unlike the ohther thing i told you about. And you can actually buy squares to pu in your basement but they are like really expensive. Sounds fun though

Answer 18

My thoughts are! UM HELLO it's called ICE HOCKEY! I just think they should leave it! It would change the game I think, Don't fix it if it ain't broken!

But whatever!