When you photograph hockey, the three biggest issues are access, lighting and glass. This is my scouting report on rinks in New Jersey and a few across the state lines. It's an evolving report and comments are welcome. I don't intend this as a critique of the worthiness of any of these rinks- their purpose is for hockey, not photography; By the way, none of these rinks come with camera openings in the corners unless noted.
American Dream Mall, Secaucus, NJ
This is a unique environment, a rink in the middle of a giant mall, with two levels above it where you can look down at the game. The lighting is good, but the glass isn't great, probably because this rink is mostly used for recreational skating. It also draws. an unusual crowd for games since people shopping often stop by for awhile to watch. Parking is of course plentiful but be prepared for a long walk to and from the rink because this mall is a giant.
Bridgewater Sports Arena, Bridgewater, NJ
I've only shot in one of the two rinks here and only once. That rink was recently updated, and no longer features the yellow lighting it did when I shot there, I was taken aback by that lighting at first, but it was uniform and easy to adjust for in post. (I didn't dare try to do it in camera on that visit.) I'm told that the now more traditional lighting remains uniform and very good. The glass was clean and new when I was there (January 2024). Spectators and photographers are limited to about half the rink, but that includes most of both ends. There is also a balcony for spectators that may give an interesting perspective, but I didn't get a chance to try it. (There was a good crowd there that night.)
Clary Anderson, Montclair, NJ
An aging rink that was shutdown for a few months because of Health Department concerns about the building its in, this is one of the trickiest places for photographers. The overhead lighting creates spotlight effects on the ice and white balance settings are extremely tough. Because of that, I prefer to shoot in black and white. The best bet for clean glass is in the corner on the side of the benches, near the exit door. Photographers can move freely around the entire rink, though, as noted, there are limited areas with clean glass. Metal bleachers along one side of the rink. No admission charge for games.
Codey, West Orange, NJ
Also known as South Mountain Arena (SMA) - and "The Cathedral of Hockey" among some coaches - this was a practice facility for the NHL Devils and the main rink is what you'd expect for a professional hockey team. The lighting is close to uniform, with some minor variations. Most of the glass is clean, aside from the predictable marks behind both goals. The ice is surrounded by cushioned seating, which of course is mostly empty except for some season-ending tournaments. The lighting in the secondary rink is a little less uniform but still good. Ditto with the glass. Bleachers are on one side of the ice, opposite the benches and the background on the far end of the rink includes several distracting doorways that are worth keeping in mind. Photographers can anywhere around the larger rink. On the smaller rink, they sometimes block off the area in front of the Zamboni garage, but that only cuts out a smaller portion for shooting. There is a modest admission charge for high school games, unless you are affiliated with one of the teams or the media. Parking can be tricky for big games, but the lot associated with the zoo is free and the lot adjacent to the rink is also free on weekends. There's also a nice cafe that is open at the height of hockey season.
Englewood (NJ) Field Club
One of the best outdoor rinks, with good glass in most places and lighting at night that works well enough. The site lines are good with clear views on both ends of the rink and partial views away from the netting on balconies in the clubhouse. You do have to be aware of flying pucks on the bleacher side because the netting only covers part of the area and it's not super high. Parking is usually available and there is no admission fee.
Hobey Baker Rink, Princeton, NJ
Princeton University's home rink is a modernized classic, a beautiful place kept true to its origins. The Princeton team plays its home games here but high school and club teams use it some too. The lighting is excellent and the glass is good too. It's a bit of a tight squeeze at the glass in the corners but it's manageable and you can move into the overhang on either end to get a different view. There's an admission fee for college games, but media passes are available if you call in advance with a legitimate reason for one. A parking garage is adjacent to the rink. The only thing missing is camera openings in the glass.
Ice House, Hackensack, NJ
The first complaint you'll hear about the Ice House is always about the challenging parking, but that has been eased by a new garage across the street. The fee for parking there is nominal. Once you're in the Ice House, there are three rinks, the first of which is often used for public skating and figure skating. The other two are very much on the dark side, requiring challenging ISO settings. To get to a 1250 shutter speed, I'm usually at f2.8 and an ISO of 6400. There are glass windows that let in some outdoor light on one end of both of these rinks, but that's generally manageable and can provide a different look in photos. You can move entirely around the Rink 2 except for one small area that is blocked by supports for the wall. All three rinks are cold, so come prepared for that. Metal bleachers are inside all three rinks along the side opposite the benches. More bleachers face the rink from outside the glassed windows. They do not charge for admission.
Ice Vault, Wayne, NJ
This is one of the three locations in New Jersey - along with Codey and Mennen - that hosts high-level tournaments. It has three rinks, all with reasonable lighting and glass. Most games are played in rinks two and three and there is access to the glass all the way around. There is an admission charge for most events, but they will waive it if the team lets them know in advance that you'll be working as its photographer. Parking overflows the lots for any big event, but street parking is allowed. Be prepared to go early or for a long walk.
Mennen Sports Arena, Morristown, NJ
Along with Codey, this is one of the two rinks that host state high school playoff games. It's a big barn of a place, with seating in the main rink worthy of a minor league hockey team. The lighting is good and the glass is ok but you have to pick your spots. It's also possible to shoot from the upper level of the seas, which are plentiful on both side of the rink. You have full acess around the ice. There is no admission charge if you're a photographer. Plenty of parking is available and there is a cafe too.
Palisades Center Rink, West Nyack, NY
It's an unusual spot for a rink: In the upper levels of a mall that is increasingly abandoned of shops, especially on the floor where the rink is based. Unlike American Dream, where the rink is in the center of a court area, the Palisades rink is walled off at the end of the floor. But games are sometimes played with people around the rink either waiting for public skating or having just finished. The glass is tricky, as is the lighting and maneuverability. There's no admission charge. Parking is not a problem but it's a long trip from the lots to the rink, though escalators ease the travel.
Red Bank Armory, Red Bank, NJ
I love this place. It's just what you'd expect when you imagine an ice rink being thoughtfully placed in an armory. Tall windows are on one side of the rink and a balcony overlooks one end and side, as does viewing on the ground level. The glass is good and so is the lighting, though of course during the day you're dealing with light and shadows coming through the windows. It comes with a nice cafe too. There is a train station parking lot next to the rink that is usually fairly empty on the weekends. There is no admission fee to the rink.
SportsCare Arena, Randolph, NJ
Two rinks here, with bleachers in an overhang above the main rink. Photographers and fans can get around about half the rink. The glass is tough but the lighting is reasonable. They have not been charging admission if you're a photographer for the team, but video is prohibited. Plenty of parking is available.
Sport-O-Rama, Monsey, NY
Welcome back to the 1960's. This rink, just over the New Jersey border, is an older facility, but I like shooting in the big rink there because of its quirks - something that seems to put me in the minority. There are two rinks, the larger of which is most often used for high school games. It has a plastic(?) curtain that hangs in front of the fairly large bleachers, which can make for some cool lighting in photos. You can get around about three-quarters of the rink, though the side opposite the benches is tough to shoot from because it's an alleyway below the stands. If you know the right people, you might be able to get into the crow's nest above the two benches. I've been up there a couple of times and it's a different perspective, but i only stay for the first period because I don't want to have all my photos from that angle the lighting at the big rink is average and the glass is a little below average for a photographer. The bleachers consist of wood benches. Modest admission charge, unless you are affiliated with one of the teams or the media. Parking is usually manageable but a big game can push the limits.
Woodbridge (NJ) Community Center
There are two rinks located across from each other on Main Street: The Community Center rink and The Club at Woodbridge. Both have good lighting and clean glass. Both have plenty of parking too. One photographer told me he got hassled a bit about being at the glass at the Community Center rink but was allowed to stay after the team acknowledged he was with it. (Even if he really wasn't, as it turned out.)
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