Mahwah Dad Builds Backyard Ice Rink in Freezing Temps

One Mahwah family with a passion for ice hockey is making the most of the extremely cold temperatures that have so far been defining 2014.

On a freezing day earlier this winter, township resident Ed Miller says he decided to do some online research to see how difficult it would be to build his own ice skating rink in his back yard.

“I just thought, ‘how cool would it be to do this?’ and looked it up,” Miller told Patch. “Next thing you know, I bought the special lining, got the wood together and started building the thing.”

Miller’s two kids, and all of their friends, have been enjoying their at-home ice rink ever since.

“It’s really great,” he said. “The kids love skating and playing on it.”

The rink, he said, is the shape of a slice of pizza, about 55 feet long, and 17 feet wide at its widest point. It is a temporary wooden structure and ranges from three to twelve inches deep, and needs sustained freezing temperatures to be used.

“It’s been cold enough,” Miller said.

“And, like [Monday], when it’s warmer, the ice gets slushie. But, on Tuesday, it’ll definitely freeze back up.”

Miller and his family are very familiar with the ice. Last summer, he and a few friends formed the NJ RHINOS Youth Hockey Association.

The non-profit group currently sponsors one Squirt B Division semi-travel ice hockey team. And, by next year, the group hopes to expand to three teams for students ranging from ages 5 to 11.

“It’s a great league, and a lot of fun. You can tell the kids are really enjoying it,” Miller said.

The Rhinos, who don’t meet or practice on Miller’s home rink, but at the Ice House in Hackensack, are accepting new members. Miller said he expects to have about 50 players on the roster by the fall season. Anyone interested in signing up for the league can contact Miller at 201-954-0167 or ed@dsmeyerpaving.com.