Blackstone Valley IcePlex

Nice venue. Easy enough to find, decent amount of parking, good facilities and friendly staff. Nice warm area off the ice too!
4 7 years ago (27-02-2018)

From the first practice I knew it was a mistake signing the contract with Lovell Hockey. I found out that they had a game in 4 days, their practice and game jerseys weren't their yet... or their socks. I didn't have any issues with the practice. The coach was the same as he had the year before, and what can you really expect from the first 2 practices of a mite program. As the season progressed they lost more they won, and I was getting frustrated that the coach wasn't teaching the kids (more specifically my kid) a better understanding of how to work together. Apply any sort of game plan (Lines, defense, basic hockey IQ things), so as i kinda know the coach at this point through 3 years of dealing with him. I offered via email any assistance he may need on ice, off ice, to maybe start teaching the kids about simple hockey game play. This is when things went sideways. I received an email back that in so many words said that Lovell hockey had him and the other coaches take a class, and that they were instructed not to teach the kids about how to play in lines. That the focus is on the kids having fun, and that there was no more room for parent help, because they had so many parents already helping. So I wrote to the Squirts coach, and asked if he could pull my son up, that I would rather him sit on the bench and be learning how to actually play hockey (for nearly $3000.00), than being held back by a coach who i can only imagine was trying to do his job. I never heard back from the coach of the Squirts team, however i did receive a gestapo like email from the Lovell Director (Brian Erickson). Telling me that I cant rock the boat like that and to address him with any other issues. So i sent him an email that is very similar to the first part of this review. NO REPLY I still maintained my composure, cheered on the team, made sure my son was always ready, and looked forward to the end of the season. This was when it became extremely clear that Lovell Hockey is only about money, as they started a "skills" practice session for after practices... great right? Ya its only $50.00 a week.... So forget about the fact you aren't teaching this stuff to the kids in your practices, now you want to charge more money for things they are supposed to be learning anyways? The season is from September to March, do the math on $50.00 a week (after already shelling out nearly $3000.00 already). So tryouts for next season have come, and my son had tryouts when the team had practice a few times in the last few weeks. The coaches find out that he wont be returning to the East Coast Leafs next season, and bury him on the last line for the rest of the season (My son the previous season was the second highest scorer on the team). Lastly, and the real reason I'm writing this review. The team worked hard and pulled off an amazing season. There was a handful of kids that had all been playing together for the past 3 years, and they all should be recognized as the veterans that brought that team to the championship game. Up by 1 goal with 2 min left my son was on the line that was going out to close the game out, Had been on that line for every shift the entire post season. And the coach benched my son and sent his son out in his place, for his last shift of his last game with the team he was on for the past 3 years.... I could see the disappointment on my sons face from the stands.... A grown man, full of spite, hurts a 9 year old for something his parents did in their best interest..... I would never sign my kid up for any of Lovell Hockey Programs, and unless you have low expectations for the coaching, and the way you are treated by the administration you are putting thousands of dollars into, and the actual progress of your child's abilities... I wouldn't sign your kids up either
1 7 years ago (12-03-2018)

First time we went there as a family for open skate and it was so much fun. Great family atsmophere!
5 7 years ago (03-02-2018)

Adult teams drink on rink property inside locker rooms and in lot. Irresponsible of leadership to look other way. Beer cans are seen in the lot daily. Rink does not sanitize rental skates for entire season. Skates are not sharp and many figure skates show great signs of rust.
1 8 years ago (13-05-2017)

I had the worst experience at this ice rink. The ice is very uneven. I couldn't even get my blades into the rink because it is so slushy. 10/10 would not recommend this place.
1 9 years ago (03-02-2017)