Between the excitement of the 2022 Winter Olympics and the upcoming NHL playoffs, there’s never been a better time to brush up on your hockey skills or general knowledge of the game. There are plenty of places in North Jersey to explore this fast-paced sport. Read on for your guide and where to get in a game of hockey in the North Jersey area.
Barnabas Health Hockey House | 25 Lafayette Street, Newark
(Photo credit: @njdhockeyhouse)
Yes, that’s the same address as the Prudential Center because this facility is the official NJ Devils’ practice rink. The arena is host to the USA Hockey adult league, and the 2022-2023 season registration is available starting April 1. The arena also hosts Skate and Shoot sessions where skaters can get on the ice with Devils players. The USA Hockey league also needs volunteers to help run the games, so for those who want to be involved without strapping on skates, this may be a great opportunity.
Clary Anderson Arena | 41 Chesnut Street, Montclair
This arena is located in downtown Montclair. It offers adult hockey leagues in addition to private lessons for both skating basics and hockey skills. The arena is a location for the NHL’s Learn to Play program that is geared toward families. The Learn to Play program is an NHL-affiliated program that teaches hockey fundamentals and the program is taught by NJ Devils team coaches and staff who are certified by USA Hockey.
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Codey Arena | 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange
This arena is known as ‘The Coolest Place in Essex County’ and is part of the South Mountain Recreation Complex. In addition to private hockey lessons, the arena hosts Adult Drop-in Hockey and Stick-and-Puck sessions where skaters can freely finesse their skills.
Hockey North America | Varies
(Photo credit: Hockey North America)
Hockey North America (HNA) is an adult beginner league that has both instruction and games. It was started over 40 years ago for fans who wanted to get more out of the hockey experience than just watching. The league operates year-round and players must register in advance to participate. Registration for the Summer 2022 session is open now, and the league will play at Mennen Arena in Morris County and South Mountain Arena (Codey Arena) in Essex County.
Ice House NJ | 111 Midtown Bridge Approach, Hackensack
Even though the Ice House is home to some of North Jersey’s most competitive youth hockey players, there’s still room for beginners in one of the facility’s four NHL-sized rinks. The team at the Ice House takes training seriously and has an entire department dedicated to its Learn to Skate program. The adult Learn to Skate program has six levels of curriculum based on skill level.
Montclair State Ice Arena | 1 Arena Drive, Little Falls
The Montclair State Ice Arena is home to year-round adult ice hockey, including an instructional league for beginners. Another option for adult beginners is a ten-session program of adult hockey instruction. The course will focus on basic skills like skating forward and backward, stick-handling, and passing.
Multi Service Center | 124 Grand Street, Hoboken
Behind the Multi Service Center building (still connected) on Adams Street between 1st + 2nd Street there is a two-in-one basketball court and roller rink where locals visit year-round to get in some free hockey sessions.
Skylands Ice World | 2765 State Hwy 23, Stockholm
Skylands offers an eight-week program for adult beginners who want to learn how to play hockey, called Get in The Game, offered in partnership with Foundry Adult Hockey, a program designed for adult beginners. Both men and women over 18 are welcome. In addition, Skylands has an adult hockey league, and adult open hockey skate sessions.
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SportsCare Arena | 16 Aspen Drive, Randolph
This arena offers the Foundry Adult Hockey Get in the Game program for adult beginners, and it’s open to both men and women over 18 who are interested in learning the basics. The arena hosts an adult hockey league, adult open hockey, adult stick time, and family stick time skating sessions. Registration is required for open hockey and stick-time sessions.
Twin Oaks Ice Rink | 65 Columbia Road, Morristown
There are year-round opportunities for adult hockey players to play in a league or drop in for an open hockey session. There are weekly, 90-minute instructional sessions for players to work on specific skills, as well as private hockey lessons available. Twin Oaks is also a partner for the NHL Learn to Skate program, affiliated with the NJ Devils.
Woodbridge Community Center | 1 Main Street, Woodbridge
(Photo credit: Woodbridge Community Center)
The Woodbridge Community Center offers an adult hockey league as well as adult open hockey sessions. The facility is another partner for the NHL Learn to Play program, with instructors from the NJ Devils organization.
