Hockey in NJ

[Jnowak19]

I just moved to Hoboken, NJ and I'm looking for some rinks/leagues to play in. Highly competitive would be a plus. Thanks

[MotherPucker21]

The only rink I am aware of up in that area is Morristown, NJ. But I believe that is still kinda far from Hoboken just for recreational play.

[GROWL]

It might be easier for you to go into the city and play at chelsea piers.

[rhhof]

ISCA
Inman Sports Club
Morristown

at least they have some form of A/C

no offense guys

[Jon Niola]

Sadly two of my favorite rinks/leagues have closed over the past few years. Rexplex in Elizabeth and Extremes in Bridgewater both ran some very fun and competitive leagues.

Extremes closed down because the owner was going through a nasty divorce and I think Rexplex closed down because the owner had legal/financial problems.

Very sad to see fun places to play close down.

[InlineMBA]

No offense intended, but how could anyone play on those, what - 110' x 40' RexPlex rinks, let alone an Adult?

I never could figure out how anyone could enjoy playing on such small rinks.

Steve Inge

[Jon Niola]

No offense intended, but how could anyone play on those, what - 110' x 40' RexPlex rinks, let alone an Adult?

I never could figure out how anyone could enjoy playing on such small rinks.

Steve Inge

Those rinks at Rexplex were no doubt small, but the league was no less fun because of it. With less room to work with you had to really be creative and think quick to get anything done. There were some outstanding players to play in those leagues they had.

The large standard rinks very much favor the fast players, but I feel strongly that the smaller rinks make you work harder. I loved playing at Extremes which was a standard sized rink and noticeably larger than Rexplex and I have to say comparing the two is comparing apples to oranges. Totally different plastyle.

When I played on the small rinks at Rexplex to score sometimes it felt like a brute force effort of crashing the other team's net and hoping to contain them in their own zone. At Extremes it was much more finesse. Lot's of fast players getting the jump, lot's of long passes, etc.

Hockey is hockey and I enjoy playing it anywhere. I have played in library parking lots smaller than Rexplex and had some of the best times you could imagine.

Does it really matter where you play if you are having fun? Isn't that what it's all about?

[sanford]

isca is pretty close to hoboken. 20 min tops. good leagues too.

[STEVENSDANEYKO]

Center Circle in Rahway usually has some pretty good hockey on Monday nights for open from 7-9pm...Don't know about their leagues though I hear Inman is much better for that.

[Secondlaw]

Inman right now is pretty good on Friday nights (10-12). From now until September, everyone is at the beach. We've been getting roughly a line and a half on both sides. Usually has 2 goalies. This is a full size rink. The floors are decent. The ceiling is high and the lighting is excellent. If thinking about joining a league, the fee will be roughly 165, and that I believe includes ref fees. They have a shower and locker room area, as well as the typical rink side dressing rooms. The bathrooms are kept clean too! There is a small bleacher section for spectators, a few video games, and a lounge with a TV. There is a Pro shop on site which normally has a good selection of whatever you might need. Overall, this is a good well kept facility. Travel time from Hoboken is probably 35 minutes.

Rahway (Center Circle) - had 9 guys show up last night and it will be like this on Monday nights for the rest of the summer. Keep in mind that this is another unfortunate rink that is meeting its demise for condo's. I believe it's scheduled to close in September. The ceilings are high. The floor is fair. I'd give it a better rating but it's a bit wavy in areas. The lighting is excellent. The bathrooms are well kept. This rink has the typical rink side dressing rooms. No showers. This is a full size rink. There is a spectator area with a great full view of the game. They have high glass boards which makes it nice to watch. There are a few video games too. When it's cold out, bring your winter coat because there's no heat! There is no longer a pro shop at this facility. Travel time from Hoboken is probably 35 minutes.

ISCA (Wallington) is very close to Hoboken (probably 5 miles, maybe 10) - Saturday nights from 10-12. I haven't been here in a few months but right now I think it's safe to say that you probably wont get 2 goalies. Unlike other rinks, they do have plastic goal tenders which is nicer to play with than a post. The lighting is pretty good and the floor is pretty good. This is not a full size rink. The locker rooms here are pretty good. They offer plenty of space. I'd say they are above average. The bathrooms are a joke. You better bring a cloths pin for your nose and alcohol if you think you might have to take a dump, because the seat in that bathroom is probably contaminated with who knows what. No showers (that I'm aware of). I believe league fees are 1800 per team. I don't know if that includes ref fees or not. This place has a small spectator area and a little arcade. There is a Pro shop here, and at times, they have what you need. Overall, this is good facility. Travel time from Hoboken is probably 15 minutes.

Morristown is by far the WORSE rink that I've played in. The floor seams like it's never cleaned. Midas well skate on banana peels. Combine that with a leaky roof and let me tell yah, it doesn't tickle when you fall on a wet surface considering you aren't expecting it... Then again, maybe it should be expected. The place is run like a joke. The lighting is terrible. The ceilings are super low so the whistle is blown quite often during games. By the way, if you want to join a team here, be prepared to pay through the roof. It's roughly 200.00 per player and that doesn't include ref fees! They tell you that you get a minimum of 10 games (+ Playoffs), but most of the time, they butcher the schedules and you'll probably only get 8 games of which 1 or two is a forfeit or rescheduled without your knowledge! No showers. The locker rooms are fair and for the most part if it, the bathroom is clean but does have an odor issue at times. You might say, "So what", but being they are strategically placed directly behind the bench you're sitting on, it's not pleasant to have to smell that through-out a game. ;) Again, it's not like this all the time. No showers. There is a pro-shop here which seams to be well stocked, probably better than all of the other rinks. The prices are a little high but I think they will work with you if you purchase a few things. I wish they would concentrate their efforts more on the facility itself than the pro-shop, but I guess you have to exceed somewhere and this is where they chose. Go figure... Overall, this is a poor facility. If I recall, open hockey is on Friday between 10 & 12, every other week. Call first to be sure. Travel time from Hoboken is probably 35 minutes.

Aberdeen is probably the farthest from Hoboken (1 minute from exit 117 GSP). The floors are normally clean, the lighting is pretty good, and the ceilings are high. They do have showers as well as a clean bathroom. I don't know anything about their open hockey program. Overall, this is a very good facility. When you're done playing your game, go upstairs and have a drink at the bar which overlooks the rink. League fees are very fair. On average, I believe $125 per player. That does not include Ref fees. They do offer a pro shop. The prices are average. Overall, this is a good facility. Travel Time from hoboken is roughly 45-50 minutes.

The competition at all of these rinks is pretty good (leagues)... Open hockey competition is mixed.

Hope this helps