The outdoor rink, or ODR as most hockey players call it, is essential during the winter. The year, with Covid preventing students from leaving campus or going into town, our school, led by Coach Gilligan, Coach Riffle, and the facilities staff, created an amazing outdoor rink for us to use during our free time. The rink opened right before the first weekend after quarantine, and everyone is ecstatic. The outdoor rink is a wonderful resource for not only hockey players, but also the entire community.
The new outdoor rink on Cobble Field (Photo: Northwood School)
The rink is getting lots of use. There have been girls and boy’s hockey players, as well as skiers out there just having fun and enjoying our beautiful campus and rink. Ryan Cielo ‘21 said, “the outdoor rink is something that the boy’s hockey players are very excited about during this winter season. This is a great addition to our campus, especially during Covid, since students are not allowed to leave campus and there isn’t much to do outside since it is cold and there is so much snow,” said Cielo. “This will give students a chance to get outside and get fresh air while having a good time playing some pond hockey with their friends. This new rink should be a lot of fun for all students on campus,” Cielo added. “I know the boy’s hockey players can’t wait to lace up their skates and finally get out and play.”
Girls’ hockey players are also excited to use the rink with their friends and teammates. Marina Alvarez ‘21 said, “having an outdoor rink on campus is super exciting. Ashlyn McGrath (‘21) and I helped Coach Gilligan with the finishing touches and are super excited to get some ODR tournaments going. The ice is smooth, the puck slides nicely, and it’s good to skate on,” said Alvarez. “It’s so exciting that Northwood added this for us all to have something fun to do on campus.”
As a girl’s hockey player, I know that many of us have been out there already, and we’re very excited to not only play within our cohorts but play with some of the guys. Ella Fesette ‘22, Paige Melicant ‘22 and I all went out with some of the boy’s hockey players this past weekend, and we all had a blast. We ended up playing 3-on-3 with subs, and it was nice to finally get a chance to mix cohorts.
Melicant described the ODR as a bright spot in a difficult year. “I think the ODR is especially good for the girls right now because it brings a lot of happiness to the team,” she said. “Even though we can’t play [games], we do have practice almost 7 days a week at the Olympic Center and go to the gym at school. The ODR brings us together and makes a tighter bond than most teams out there.” The ODR reminds Melicant of her backyard rink from home. “I personally love it because when I was younger my family would have their own rink in our backyard,” she said. “It brings back a lot of fun memories. Not many schools have something like this on campus and I think we are very lucky to have the ODR. It’s definitely something special that we will remember about Northwood.”
Some of the skiers went out for a fun time on the outdoor rink as well. Amelia Brady ‘21 said, “the outdoor rink is a great addition to Northwood for all students...Having it as a weekend activity when students are confined to campus allows for a fun change of pace,” she said. “During my freshman year there was a rink, and it was very popular,” said Brady. “Many kids took advantage of it during off periods and weekends; I’m sure this winter will be the same. This past weekend the skiers used the rink and will be doing so again. The outdoor rink is the perfect winter activity at Northwood this year,” said Brady.
Students are very excited to be on the outdoor rink here at Northwood, and everyone thinks it’s a great addition to our campus this winter season. I know my team and I will be out there ripping some 3-on-3 tournaments, and we all can’t wait to see everyone out there having fun.
