----- Begin Included Message ----- From [log in to unmask] Wed Apr 25 18:14:25 1990 (Bill Fenwick) Subject: How thick should the ice be? Are there any regulations regarding how thick the ice has to be in hockey rinks? (college or pro) . . . ----- End Included Message ----- I don't recall seeing any (NCAA) rules about ice thickness. There was a one page blurb is our Blue Line newletter late in the season about ice surface maintenance at out arena. From that I would guess that it has more to do with the construction of the rink (particularly the underlying "floor" and cooling equipment than anything else. The article described the way the surface was prepared, including the Zamboni "path" both during the games and a once or twice a week resurfacing across the rink rather than the general longitudinal path used the rest of the time. The concerns were primarily with getting a flat surface, so grooming of the edges, and Zamboni path appeared to be critical. As to thickness, as I recall it is about 1 inch and the considerations are the ice surface and particularly cracking which occurs if the ice is too thick. Again, I'm guessing that this is dictated by the underlying surface as much as anything. From discussion I've heard, the temperature of the ice would be the most critical item as far as uniformity of playing surface from one rink to the other is concerned. The colder the ice, the more cooling equipment that is required, but the faster the surface, and that together with the "flatness" would be the things players would be concerned about.