MALLAIG - Doug Moisey had two reasons for setting up an outdoor rink in his neighbourhood this winter. He admits the first was a bit selfish, but says he did it in part for his own sanity and to keep himself busy while many recreational opportunities remain shut down. The second reason? Simple. He did it "for the kids."
When the provincial government shut down hockey - along with most other sports - in mid-November, Moisey decided to turn an empty lot into a mini-rink. Moisey lives in Mallaig. During the winter months, the local arena is one of the busiest places in the hamlet, located in the County of St. Paul.
Hockey associations across the Lakeland have been forced to call it quits on the 2020/21 hockey season. But, that doesn't mean kids aren't lacing up their skates and getting in some much-needed time on the ice.
Moisey says he grew up playing hockey on an outdoor rink. When he puts on his own skates - something he was unable to do for a number of years prior to having a knee replacement - it brings him back to his own youth.
When the arenas had to close their doors, Moisey knew he had to get his own teenage son on the ice. Treston, 17, is on the St. Paul Jr. B Canadiens roster this season.
“I knew he had things to work on."
And so, Moisey got to work. The rink is about a third of the size of the surface of the Clancy Richard Arena, he estimates. So, while it's smaller, it gets the job done.
For five days, he hauled water to flood the area. Then, a neighbour brought a tractor to push snow up along the sides. Another neighbour brought some nets over. Lights were also put up, and neighbourhood kids can be seen out using the rink nearly every day.
Moisey says the only thing he asks is that people unplug the lights when they are done, shovel the ice if they mess it up, and keep their distance from other families. He says he's seen grandparents out skating with their grandkids, and feels the outdoor rink “was just my way to give back to the community.”
While some measures in place restricting the traditional hockey season remain in place, the season isn't a total loss. One grandfather told Moisey he’s skated more this winter than he has in many years, playing shinny with his grandkids regularly now.
“It gives the kids some normalcy that they need," says Moisey.
Per week, Moisey says he spends about six hours maintaining the outdoor rink. “When it snows it’s a lot of work," he concedes, but it's good exercise shoveling the snow off the rink.
“I still have a big love of the game at my age," says Moisey, who is also a former president of the Mallaig Minor Hockey Association. "Being outside under the lights reminds me so much of being a kid. . . It’s stress relief for me as well.”
Along with the physical labour, Moisey has made another investment into the outdoor neighbourhood rink - hockey pucks. He estimates that he's spent about $70 on hockey pucks . . . but anticipates he will likely find a bunch of them in the spring when the snow melts around the rink.
