Artificial or Synthetic Ice for Hockey Training

Players and coaches have been looking for artificial (or synthetic) ice surfaces for years, hoping the availability of practice surfaces will increase without incurring heavy costs. The purpose of synthetic ice surfaces is to replicate the feel and performance of a frozen ice surface without the necessary freezing and maintenance responsibilities that make ice time so expensive. Synthetic ice surfaces have advanced from small Plexiglass (polymethyl plastic) shooting platforms to rink-sized synthetic polymer surfaces that allow for hard skating.

  1. Beaded Synthetic Surfaces

    • There are many manufacturers and types of synthetic ice, but only two basic surfaces exist. Both are made of synthetic polymers, which are composed of long molecular chains that combine to produce a strong, resilient compound. The first type uses small beads on top of the surface to create the feel of natural ice when skating. The beads reduce friction as the skate passes over the synthetic ice. When the synthetic surface is used repeatedly, the beads are broken down and replaced with the cuts and scratches of blades, which perform the same friction-reducing function as the beads.

    Liquid-replicating Surfaces

    • The second type replicates the natural function of ice when a skate passes over its surface. The friction and weight of a blade on natural ice causes the a thin layer of quasi-liquid water to form, giving ice its slippery feel. These synthetic surfaces function in the same way, releasing chemical lubricants as the pressure from a blade passes over its surface.

    Construction

    • Synthetic ice surfaces are easily installed on any level plane, indoors or outdoors. Some manufactures also include insulation layers between the synthetic surface and base layer material in order to protect the skating surface. The surface fits together in panels with seamless joints that are meant to resist contraction and expansion with any environment changes.

    Effects on Skates

    • All manufacturers maintain that synthetic ice surfaces are safe for skate blades because they replicate the feel of ice. Some blades on new surfaces will need more frequent sharpening when first used. Once the surface is "broken in," blades will hold up better. Any chemical lubricants that are used on or expelled from synthetic surfaces are safe for hockey equipment and will not damage steel blades. However, some lubricants can leave greasy residue on equipment.

    Performance

    • Synthetic ice surfaces are the best way to replicate the feeling of frozen ice without having ice time. Roller hockey and indoor roller hockey surfaces provide good conditioning but do not successfully re-create the experience of playing on ice. Skates and pucks slide across synthetic ice in the same manner they do on natural ice, without the slowness or bouncing of roller hockey pucks and balls. Continuous practice on synthetic surfaces may help intensify play on natural ice because of additional effort required. However, because synthetic ice is so new, definitive results are still unknown.

    Lifespan

    • All manufacturers of synthetic ice give their products a lifespan of at least 10 years. Some suggest their synthetic surfaces will last up to 20 years and a few claim it's an indefinite amount of time. The only regular maintenance suggested is clearing the surface of debris. Some surfaces need to be sprayed with chemical lubricants at regular intervals, depending on the frequency of use.