“It’s Magical”: Hurricanes and NHL Unveil New Street Hockey Rinks in Apex
The game of hockey just became more accessible in North Carolina.
On Saturday, March 29, a large crowd of young hockey enthusiasts gathered as the Carolina Hurricanes, NHL representatives, and the Town of Apex celebrated the grand opening of two new multi-use rinks in the Triangle area.
“This is an incredible moment,” said Canes President Doug Warf. “This project has been in development for years, and thanks to a great partnership between the Hurricanes, the NHL, and the Town of Apex, it’s finally a reality. Seeing the excitement of the kids today—it’s truly magical.”
The newly built 160-by-75-foot rinks are equipped with aluminum dasher boards, benches, penalty boxes, scorekeeper areas, chain-link fencing, mateflex sport court tiles, and scoreboards. One rink is designed for multiple sports, including hockey, futsal, and basketball, while the other is dedicated solely to hockey. The Town of Apex, in collaboration with the Hurricanes, will offer a variety of programs such as free hockey trials, leagues, tournaments, camps, and clinics.
Located just 13 miles from Lenovo Center, this initiative is a significant step in expanding hockey’s presence in North Carolina. Funding from the NHL’s Industry Growth Fund (IGF) helped bring the project to life, with the goal of making hockey more financially accessible for youth players.
“That’s the beauty of street and ball hockey—it’s one of the easiest ways to get into the game,” Warf explained. “Ice hockey comes with challenges like high costs and limited rink availability. But with these new rinks, more kids can try hockey in an easy and affordable way.”
The event drew a large crowd eager to test out the rinks. Town of Apex Mayor Jacques K. Gilbert emphasized the importance of community collaboration in bringing the project to life.
“This is a prime example of what we can accomplish when we work together,” said Gilbert. “It’s a major investment by the Hurricanes, and seeing the enthusiasm here today speaks volumes.”
Hockey has gained a strong foothold in North Carolina, with the Hurricanes enjoying more than 100 consecutive sold-out games and a thriving youth hockey scene. These new rinks further increase access to the sport, making it easier than ever for newcomers to get involved.
“This is just the beginning,” said Sean Whyte, senior director of the NHL’s IGF. “We hope these rinks will serve as a model for other NHL markets as part of our NHL Street initiative. Our goal is to reach schools, clubs, and local communities to introduce more kids to the game.”
Traditionally, hockey players reminisce about learning the game on frozen ponds with minimal equipment. In North Carolina, access to such opportunities has been limited—until now. With these new rinks, more children will have the chance to play the sport in a fun, accessible environment, paving the way for future generations of hockey enthusiasts.
