When the National Hockey League canceled an entire season due to a labor dispute, South Philly hockey players and their parents still wanted to see action on the ice. They just didn’t need to see it from an NHL organization.
At Rizzo Rink, Front Street and Washington Avenue, home to South Philly’s lone youth ice-hockey rink, some 300 children participated in the 2004-05 season. The in-house program is open to ages 5 to 13.
"Our program is about a lot more than ice hockey," said Rizzo Rink Recreation Leader III Mike Mecchella. "It teaches kids to be disciplined and keeps them out of trouble."
"The kids idolize the volunteer coaches."
Sign-ups for the 2005-06 season will begin in September. For more information, call 215-685-1593.
In the past, Rizzo Rink has been the site of clinics hosted by the Philadelphia Phantoms, the 2004-05 American Hockey League Calder Cup Championship winners.
After scratching an entire season, the Philadelphia Flyers and other NHL teams will be working overtime to draw fans back. The Flyers, for instance, will offer a family section during the 2005-06 season with single-game tickets costing $20 for adults and $10 for children. Sections 222 and 222A at the Wachovia Center will be designated for these ticket-holders.
Mecchella said if the Flyers were to contact him about holding an event or clinic at Rizzo Rink, he would listen to what they had to say.
For more information on the Flyers, visit www.philadelphiaflyers.com.
