Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/647532
42 / MARCH.APRIL.2016 RINKMAGAZINE.COM H ey there, it's your neighborhood ice resurfacer operator. You know, the guy that gets to scoot around on a big machine and make sure the sheet of ice is fresh and clean for the next period or group of skaters. Yeah, that guy with the "fun job." As my job relies so heavily on getting on and off the ice in a timely fashion, I want to remind you the importance of doing the same. Let me start off by saying that I was once a skater, too (one whose career peaked in Mites). I know the feeling of wanting to be on the ice as long as possible. I was also once a youth coach, so I understand the value of ice time. Now as your trusty ice resurfacer operator, it's my duty to ensure that you guys are aware of my need for ice time. I am simply asking that you are ready to clear the ice once the resurfacer doors are opened. Please remember as coaches it is your responsibility to make sure that when the resurfacer doors are opened, everyone on the ice needs to be heading toward the exit. All of that being said, there are still times where everything gets pushed back 5, 10 or 15 minutes with stragglers still on the ice. If they get off late, we get off late. Then the next group is on late. It's a vicious cycle folks. So here are some tips that just might help us get on and off the ice on time. 1. Know what time you have the ice until. If it's from 6-7 p.m., make sure your practice or lesson is planned for that one- hour slot. Last minute conditioning skates, scrimmages and free skates that creep into 7:15 p.m. shouldn't happen—and especially not often. Know the time slot and make sure your lesson and practice fit within that time period. 2. Be sure to have everything off the ice a minute or two before your time is up. Take the final five minutes and turn it into a game for your skaters. Who can collect the most pucks? Who can skate backwards to pick up the cones? And when we say clean up everything, we mean everything: pucks, cones, skate guards, water bottles and anything else you may have on the benches. It will not only keep mom and dad happy that no water bottle or skate guard was left behind, but it will keep us operators happy, too. 3. Help us out with hockey net removals, too. If there are hockey nets on the ice, please elect someone (preferably an adult) to move them to the side before we get out on the ice. To be even more efficient, pick someone who has moved nets before—it speeds up the process. Sounds simple right? If these tips and rules are followed, there should be no excuses as to why players and coaches aren't heading toward the exit once the resurfacer doors are opened. And as a reminder, the coach should always be the last one off the ice. Remember, it's his or her responsibility to make sure everyone is off the ice on time. We should never have to yell, honk the horn or drive the resurfacer on to the ice to move people toward the exit. You guys don't like it and neither do we. So please help spread the word. Have an ice day! Sincerely, Your ice resurfacing operator. J What Time Is It? Manage ice time with these tips from your friendly ice resurfacer operator RINK ISSUES Ice Time PHOTOS: COURTESY OF STAR , Coaches, players and ice resurfacer operators can work together to get on and off the ice on time. Please share this article with your association's coaches and administrators!