Hockey At Its Purest Form: ODRs, Ponds & Frozen Lakes
Whether you grew up in a small town or under the big city lights, once the snow falls and the ice sets, the sounds of an outdoor hockey game are unmistakable. The crisp winter air, frozen breath, and blades cutting into fresh ice hit different. For anyone who grew up around Ottawa, outdoor hockey isn’t just a pastime, it’s a tradition ingrained in who we are.
From backyard rinks to frozen lakes just 20 minutes outside the city, winter opens endless opportunities to play the game the way it was meant to be played. And of course, there’s no spot more iconic than the Rideau Canal, where skates, sometimes sticks and pucks share the ice with skaters from around the world.
NO COACHES. NO WHISTLES. JUST HOCKEY.
The "ODR" (Outdoor Rink) strips the game back to its purest form. No systems. No set lines. No referees. Just a puck, a few buddies, and whatever you’re using for nets that day, boots, gloves, snowbanks, or backpacks.
Games start casually but never stay that way for long. Before you know it, the battles get intense. Snow flying in the corners. Breakaways with frozen toes. One-timers that sting the hands for hours afterward. It’s competitive, gritty, and filled with nonstop chirps, all in good fun.
GENERATIONS SHARING THE SAME ICE
One of the best things about the outdoor rink is who shows up. Kids learning to stop and start. Ringette players, showing their wheels are just as fast and that they got MAD skills too. Parents reliving old beer-league glory days. Former teammates reconnecting without needing a schedule invite. Everyone plays. Everyone belongs.
It’s a reminder that hockey is bigger than rinks, rankings, and stats. It’s about community, tradition, and shared experiences that last long after the ice melts.
THE POST-GAME HANG IS PART OF THE RITUAL
Eventually, the light fades, fingers go numb, or the puck disappears under the snow. That’s when the best part begins.
Everyone heads off the ice together, laughing about missed chances, debating the final score, replaying that one goal that definitely counted. Hot chocolate warms frozen hands. Or, for the adults, a cold wobbly pop makes an appearance.
Those moments after the game are just as important as the hockey itself. That’s where stories are told, bonds are built, and memories are made.
WHY OUTDOOR HOCKEY WILL ALWAYS MATTER
In a world of structured schedules and packed arenas, outdoor hockey reminds us why we fell in love with the game in the first place. It’s accessible, fueled by creativity, and grounded in everything real about hockey.
At MAD TUCKS™, this is the lifestyle we celebrate, the grassroots moments, the community rinks, the frozen lakes, and the people who show up just for the love of the game.
Because hockey doesn’t just live under arena lights.
It lives outdoors, under the winter sky.
Cheers, to frozen ponds, cold feet, and sick dangles!
Photography Credit: @erinwaterfallphotography
GO-2 SKATING SPOTS:
ICELYND
A winter paradise, maintained by an amazing crew and ownership group. Icelynd Skating Trails consists of 2km + of beautifully maintained skating trails, various open skating areas, multiple dedicated hockey rinks with professional boards, and all the amenities required to keep you warm, fed, and having fun. Found in Stittsville, ON, Canada.
Review: A resounding 5 Stick Taps
RiverOak Skating Trail
Another winter wonderland Gem just south of Ottawa. Trevor and crew run an amazing operation, with over 4 acres of ice spaning 3km long and covering 50 acres. The trails are full of hills, twists and turns, with openings to larger skating areas throughout where guests can play hockey and other games as sticks and pucks are allowed.
Review: A resounding 5 Stick Taps