icehockeymom.com

Oceanside Arena is the home rink for the Arizona State University hockey team, currently ranked 3rd in the country and on their way to the Nationals. The place really rocks during those ASU/UofA games, and should be on everyone's "to do" list during college hockey season in the Valley.

Dating back to the seventies, the facility is in excellent shape and recently went through some remodeling and upgrades. The emphasis here is on hockey, which is greatly appreciated. The guys here know what they are doing and the ice is top notch. I appreciate the knowledgable and friendly staff both managing the rink and in the team shop. An added plus, at least for this Midwestern girl, are the White Castle hamburgers available in the snack bar.

Has that nice "cold fresh ice" smell that I have never been able to explain to anyone but another hockey mom. No girls locker room at this rink either, but my daughter seems to mind this less at Oceanside than she does elsewhere. In addition to an excellent ice surface, and always friendly staff, there is a small team shop called "Red Light" with an excellent supply of sticks, skates, and Sauce Hockey tshirts. It is also one of the few places you are able to purchase ASU Hockey merchandise.

Located just north of the 202, it faces undeveloped reservation land, and sits back from the road far enough to be missed if you are not careful. (Hint -- Just north of Big Surf, the first driveway south of Federal Express warehouse).