Pick-Up Games IN NYC

[ummjay]

Hello there-
Me and my friends just moved to the NYC area and are interested in finding some pick up roller hockey games. Does anyone have any places in mind? I know Chelsea Piers no longer offers roller hockey and I know there is a manhattan roller hockey league. Any other known places for some pick-up roller hockey? Thanks!

[hockey_rules]

There's a playground on the corner of 6th Ave and Houston (pronounced House-tin in case you're taking a cab) where there are pick-up games every weekend all year round. It's not an actual hockey rink, just a playground that is partially coated with a tennis court-type of coating. People start showing up around 2pm and stay until it gets dark. It's 4-on-4 with a with a puck and trash cans for goals, one goal wins, winners keep playing. There's a mixed level of talent, 2 summers ago 2 NY Rangers (Kasparaitis and Lundqvist) showed up and played.

FYI, the warmer it gets outside, the more crowded it gets, sometimes over 30 guys. So if you lose you can sit for long periods of time waiting to play again. But it's the bets pick-up game in the city, and there's tons of eye candy walking by, so that helps pass the time.

[ummjay]

thanks for your response!

Any pick-ups games going on around this time of the year as well? I'm looking to jump in on the weekends (even though its a little cooler now). any other parks in mind? this was something I was looking for. Preferably a little larger game. Also, no need for pads and such right?

[hockey_rules]

There are definitely games going on this time of year, people are out there year-round, unless it's snowing or raining out. It's a good-sized surface for 4-on-4, I'd guess around 120x60, it's kinda wide.

There's no need for pads, but accidents do happen. I saw a guy get his jaw broken unintentionally colliding with another guy, among other injuries. Several guys wear shinguards, that puck can leave quite the mark, if not worse.

There's a rink off of 1st Ave near 98th (where they play that Manhattan league) but I'm not sure if they have pick up games. There's also a playground a few blocks south of the UN on 1st Ave where guys play, but the game isn't too good from what I've seen. There are several outdoor rinks in Queens and a few in Brooklyn too.

[hockey_rules]

Actually maybe more like 100x40, but that's a guess, I'm not a civil engineer.

[ummjay]

much appreciated for the info. its hard to find good places while looking online. all that i'm finding is the leagues and such. we live in murray hill area high 20's near 2nd and 3rd. Was hoping there was some activity closer.

[siberian khatru]

It's probably somewhat out-of-date but here is a great page listing NYC pick-up venues:
http://www.tiregroove.com/jerseys/play.htm

The Manhattan Roller Hockey League sometimes calls up guys on its free agents list to help out a team that needs players but that's as close as we ever get to holding pick-up games. Our 14 teams (all of them sponsored) just started a ten week regular season and 10 of the teams will make a championship playoff lasting through late June. The link above doesn't mention us but we are the league playing out of Stanley Isaacs Park at 96th Street and First Avenue. We hold our games all day on Sundays and sometimes on Monday through Thursday evenings. On Friday afternoons and on Saturdays there is a kids program run by the Yorkville Youth Athletic Association (www.yyaa.org) that uses the rink.

-Mark Barbour
Chairman and Founder
www.manhattanrollerhockeyleague.com