Hockey arenas in Toronto come in no short supply, with hundreds scattered across all areas of the city. Many of these rinks are strictly utilitarian in nature -- just a pad of ice, a few change rooms and a small bleacher area. If you're lucky, there will be a concession stand that sells watery hot chocolate, steamed hot dogs and Halls lozenges. There are, however, hockey arenas that stick out from the pack, whether on account of their facilities or their historic importance.

Here are my picks for the top hockey arenas in Toronto.

CanLan Ice Sports
With six ice surfaces, a well-stocked pro shop and an on-site pub (The Flying Penguin), the sprawling CanLan facility is a hub for everything from men's league to house league. York University's varsity team also plays out of the arena, and Toronto-based NHL players holding out of contracts have been known to skate here. There is also a facility in Scarborough.

Mattamy Athletic Centre (MLG)
It might not be the Maple Leaf Gardens of old, but the cathedral ceiling retains the stature of the old rink even as the facilities have been modernized. Playing here feels more important than elsewhere. You can also watch Ryerson Rams games here if you're not up for renting the ice at $335 for an hour.

North Toronto Arena
While there's only one ice surface and the concession stand is anything but appetizing, North Toronto has great ice, ample space in the stands, and a throwback announcer's booth that gives the place a certain stature. Add to that the nostalgia factor that any kid who once played there has, and you have one of Toronto's favourite barns.

MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence
You might not be able to hit the ice at the ACC, but you can still play where the Leafs practice at this state of the art hockey facility in Etobicoke. With four ice surfaces (one of which can be expanded to Olympic dimensions), a solid pro shop, and a variety of concessions, this is both a good place to play and to bide your time while someone else does. Add to that the possibility of running into an NHL player or a member of the Canadian Junior team, and you've got an exciting arena.

Ted Reeve
Opened in 1954 after a major fundraising effort on the part of east side residents, Ted Reeve has always kept the feel of a community arena. You won't find OHL teams playing here, but the daily schedule is packed with house league games, pleasure skating (Saturday evenings), and use by the Ted Reeve Thunder, single and double A GTHL teams who call the arena home.

St. Michael's Arena
Another one for the history lover, anyone who's played under St. Mike's domed roof will remember the experience. The Majors no longer play here, but the list of world class players who have graced this ice is a long one, including stars like Eric Lindros, Jason Spezza, and Tyler Seguin.

Varsity Arena
This is a great old barn. Tucked away behind Varsity Stadium, the arena is almost 90 years old. With seating for 4,000 and a great retro score clock, it's a fun place to play or to watch your girlfriend/boyfriend duke it out in intramurals. The Varsity Blues also call the arena home.

Chesswood
Chesswood Arena occupies a middle spot between modern hockey facility and nostalgia-inducing old barn. There are two rinks here, an on-site bar, decent food (try the old school fries), and a pro shop, but everything feels just dated enough to make it feel like you've walked into a time warp. A hub for adult leagues, the arena is a more intimate alternative to the larger CanLan facility.

Weston Lions Club Arena
At 65 years old, the Weston Lions Club Arena won't be winning any awards for its facilities, but the church-like wooden roof, and the thickly painted red and blue stands are the very stuff of Canadian hockey nostalgia. As an added bonus, the rink has great ice.

The Sports Village
Technically just north of Toronto in Vaughan, the Sports Village is worth a mention for its four ice pads, on-site pub, video games (perfect when two kids of different ages are playing on the same day) and outdoor beach volleyball facilities in the summer. Along with the Mastercard Centre for Hockey Excellence, the Sports Village sets the gold standard for the modern hockey multiplex.

Photo by Adam d'Oliveira

 

21 Comments

Matt / December 28, 2014 at 11:50 am

Pretty good list, although it would have been good to see some more Scarborough rinks. Scarborough Gardens is an awesome place to play with a lot of character, Centennial Arena is cool too.
 

James Reimer / December 28, 2014 at 01:20 pm

How is the air canada centre not on this list

 

David / December 28, 2014 at 01:29 pm

I'm personally fond of Moss Park, as that's where I play. I am surprised, though, that you didn't include the Ricoh Coliseum.

 

M / December 28, 2014 at 02:32 pM

Sports village is just down the street from my house,that's my nephews home ice they play hockey,it's a great complex with a pub, only complaint I have is there''s no public skating, it's lessons and hockey teams. My children took skating lessons as well at Sports Village. St.Mikes is great went to watch my nephews there I like that it has history it has a different ambiance about it. Chesswood is part of our brothers, husbands childhood playing hockey for me my dad took me skating every Sunday there.

 

Drew / December 28, 2014 at 03:20 pm

I'm personally find of McCormick arena in the west end.

 

robert / December 28, 2014 at 04:25 pm

Downsview Arena & Amesbury Arena are 2 great spots!

 

Pants Go Brown / December 28, 2014 at 04:39 pm

Good list but, CanLan facilities consistently close to rock bottom. Dirty, cold, desolate, rundown. Only place worse is Rinx.

 

Jon / December 28, 2014 at 06:08 pm

It's a crime that George Bell Arena has been left off this list.

 

Westender replying to a comment from David / December 28, 2014 at 06:13 pm

Seconding the love for Moss Park. Awesome 60's design, great zamboni, friendly staff and intriguing vending machines.

 

W. K. Lis / December 28, 2014 at 09:06 pm

No skating on Grenadier Pond this year. Too warm.

 

hockeymom / December 28, 2014 at 09:08 pm

Buckingham is the best rink in the GTHL. It's new, bright, lots of snack options and a full bar/restaurant and the washrooms are clean. Sports village has dirty washrooms so does Lampton...when you spend hrs at a rink spotless washrooms are just as important as the ice.

 

Renman3000 / December 28, 2014 at 09:26 pm

Del La Selle for its wood beaming architecture.

 

Adrienne replying to a comment from hockeymom / December 28, 2014 at 09:52 pm

Yes! Buckingham. It's named after a famous palace for a reason.

 

JP Savio / December 28, 2014 at 10:21 pm

Mattamy Athletic Centre is a great facility with an exceptional ice pad. Ive been to a number of Ryerson Men's Hockey games and on Thursday nights with $3 beers and some great fan activities, why bother spending an arm and a leg at the ACC? Great entertainment at a low cost. And they even host free skate events to the public!!

 

John / December 28, 2014 at 10:42 pm

Buckingham has to be #1.
Buckingham with 4 rinks(don't know how you missed it),Chesswood with 4 rinks and Westwood with 5 rinks are the most user friendly arenas. Experienced staff, alway visible and friendly, and they actually answer the phone if you call.
Canlan is the absolute worst, warehouses with rinks, a revolving door of staff, overworked and underpaid, that's why they quit.
Varsity best old style single rink.
North Toronto is great if you can put up with arrogant staff.
All the board of management rinks in the old city of Toronto do a good job, they just have to be reminded that tax payers and arena users pay their salaries, they don't own the rinks.

 

John replying to a comment from hockeymom / December 28, 2014 at 10:54 pm

Very well said, arenas must be a positive experience for both players and parents. Buckingham does both.

 

SOKAM replying to a comment from John / December 28, 2014 at 11:03 pm

Buckingham is a newer arena and very clean with great ice and super facility and clean, staff is friendly also, Westwood is spotless for being an older arena and staff is friendly also and not at all stuck up. Im a little sentimental for Centennial arena but have not been there in a few years, old MLG is also nice.

just my 2 cents

 

Zack / December 28, 2014 at 11:35 pm

Upper Canada College has a nicer rink than everything on this list...

 

SteveM / December 29, 2014 at 09:55 am

I get that this is supposed to be affordable arenas for the everyman, but considering the title both the ACC and Ricoh Coliseum should be on the list.

 

Subtonium / December 29, 2014 at 10:28 am

buckingham? What about Buckingham? One of the newest state of the art where hockey celeb hangs out for charity event? Clean and large change rooms. I guess it's a hidden gem we want to keep to a few :)