Consider boosting your arena's traffic by adding ice hockey to your schedule of skating events. Start with junior ice hockey leagues and get your athletes interested in college hockey and pro hockey. Become associated with a quality amateur ice hockey league and set up games and camps for your customers. Talk to other ice arena owners to find out how to schedule games and learn from their expertise.

Sell a variety of ice hockey equipment to help outfit the players. Consider selling items from a catalog if you don't have the physical space to store a large inventory of stock. Keeping your clients happy with one-stop shopping will increase your bottom line and save your customers time and money.

1. Provide your customers with quality ice hockey equipment.

2. Set up quality ice hockey drills to improve players' skill levels.

3. Become affiliated with a quality ice hockey league.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Sell ice hockey equipment

Profit from the equipment needed for the sport of ice hockey. Create a league store in your arena or sell the ice hockey equipment through catalogs to keep those dollars coming into your business rather than your competitors'.

I recommend: Hockey Monkey has every type of ice hockey equipment, including a wide variety of ice hockey skates and ice hockey goalie equipment, you'll need to add the sport to your arena. SportsGiant has a plethora of ice hockey equipment available to outfit any ice hockey business.

Hire quality ice hockey coaches

Check the references of the ice hockey coaches who'll be working with the youth in your arena. Perform criminal background checks to keep the kids safe. Ask if the coaches are affiliated with a professional ice hockey coaching association and check to make sure they're in good standing with the organization.

I recommend: HockeyTribute.com provides ice hockey coaches with a wide range of drills for training purposes. BestHockeyDrills.com has a variety of the best hockey drills to help athletes of all skill levels become stronger players.

Educate yourself on ice hockey leagues

Discover as much as you can about the various ice hockey leagues available to your players, then choose a league that offers a reasonable schedule and ice hockey championship games. Provide information about the pro ice hockey teams, including league standings, and keep the information up-to-date for your athletes to enjoy.

I recommend: Netscape Communications Corporation has a comprehensive list of amateur ice hockey leagues across the country. The National Hockey League has all the information desired regarding professional ice hockey players and the league they participate in.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check the references of every ice hockey coach you hire. Ask specifically if they're a member of the American Hockey Coaches Association, the professional board dedicated to the higher education and ethical standards of ice hockey coaches.