ABOUT US: News/Press Releases

July 17, 2008
FREE LEARN TO PLAY HOCKEY CLINIC AT SUBURBAN ICE - FARMINGTON HILLS

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills is hosting a FREE Learn to Play Hockey clinic July 29 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. The clinic is for boys and girls ages 5-11 who have not played organized hockey.

All equipment including skates and a stick will be provided to participants, who must pre-register for the clinic. There will be professional instruction with help from local volunteers.

To enter for a chance to be selected for the clinic, please fill out a registration form online at www.suburbanice.com. For more information, please call (248) 888-1400.

Power Through the Heat with Suburban Hockey Schools
Get better by registering for programs at any of our six locations.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.- July 8, 2008 - Suburban Hockey Schools is still accepting registrations for all seven weeks of its summer class schedule. Classes get underway July 9 at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills. Summer programs continue throughout July and August at the Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena, Novi ice Arena, St. Clair Shores, Suburban Ice - Macomb and Birmingham Ice Arena.

Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills is holding the Advanced Goalie School and Forward/Defense School July 14-18, while the Onyx is also running the Forward/Defense School. The 10-week Adults Breakfast Club begins July 9 in Farmington Hills and is offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

From July 21-25, Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills offers three programs including Squirt Skillbuilder, Pee Wee/Bantam Finishing School and the Girls 12U/14U Program. The Onyx's hockey school programming continues with Squirt Skillbuilder and Pee Wee/Bantam Finishing School. Novi Ice Arena is running three programs: Mite Power Skating, Forward/Defense School and Advanced Goalie School. Suburban Ice - Macomb will host Mite Power Skating the week of July 21.

Suburban Ice - Macomb and Novi Ice Arena will both hold Mite Hockey School, Squirt Skillbuilder and Pee Wee/Bantam Finishing School July 28 - August 1. The Onyx is holding the Fundamental Goalie School the last week of July.

Suburban-trained instructors, including those with professional and college coaching and playing experience, will lead these programs. Past and present SHS directors/instructors include Don Waddell (Atlanta Thrashers GM), Lyle Phair (Los Angeles Kings), Tom Anastos (Michigan State/CCHA Commissioner), Pat Carmichael (Atlanta Thrashers Scout), Manon Rheaume (Team Canada), Bob Essensa (Boston Bruins Goalie Coach) and other junior, college and professional players and coaches. All classes have limited enrollment, with a 6 student-to-1 instructor ratio (even lower in the goaltending program!).

Classes, which are open to players of all ability levels, will fill fast! Call (248) 478-1600 or visit www.suburbanhockey.com today for more information or to register. Don't forget to ask about multiple class, family and team discounts as well as our mite and goalie combos!

Free CCHA “have fun, play hockey” Clinics Set at
SUBURBAN ICE - FARMINGTON HILLS
Boys and girls ages 5-11 can experience the fun of organized hockey for the first time at no charge.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., The CCHA, FSN, RBK, the Detroit Red Wings and Perani’s Hockey World are hosting two “Have Fun, Play Hockey” clinic at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills. The free clinics, open to boys and girls ages 5-11 who have not played organized hockey, are scheduled for Tuesday, June 10 from 7:00 p.m. - 7:50 p.m. (GIRLS ONLY) and Wednesday, June 11 from 7:00 p.m. - 7:50 p.m. for both boys and girls.

All equipment including skates and a stick will be provided to participants, who must pre-register for the clinic. There will be professional instruction with help from local volunteers.

“We are really excited to be able to offer more boys and girls the opportunity to experience the fun of hockey for the first time for free in these ‘Have Fun, Play Hockey’ clinics,” commented CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos.

To enter for a chance to be selected for the clinic, please fill out a registration form online at ccha.com.

May 21, 2008

Baby Loves Disco

Suburban Sports Group is preparing to boogie at the Baby Loves Disco event at the Eden Nightclub & Ultralounge in Ferndale on Saturday, May 31 from 1 – 4 p.m. The Eden Nightclub is located at 22061 Woodward Avenue. This family oriented community event will include Suburban Hockey’s mascot’s Suburban Steve and Snowplow Sam who will be dancing up a storm while other Suburban Sports Group dance team members share information on our summer hockey schools as well as learn to play and learn to skate programs. Baby Loves Disco is an afternoon dance party for young children (6 months – 7 year olds) and their parents that features music spun by DJ Ryan Richards. For more information or to purchase Baby Loves Disco tickets, visit www.babylovesdisco.com. The cost of the event is $12 per person.

February 19, 2008

Learn to Check with Suburban Hockey
Checking Clinics scheduled across the state.

Suburban Hockey Schools will conduct the highly popular Learn to Check clinics at several locations prior to the spring hockey season, including Kensington Valley Ice House in Brighton (March 18), Dearborn Ice Skating Center (March 19), Lakeland Arena (March 20), Birmingham Ice Arena (March 26), Suburban Ice – Farmington Hills (March 27 & 30), Suburban Ice – Macomb (March 31 & April 8), Ice Box Sports Center (April 1), Novi Ice Arena (April 2), Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena (April 2) and St. Clair Shores Civic Arena (April 3).

The program is geared toward squirt players moving up to the pee wee level, as well as pee wee and bantam players who need instruction on the techniques of checking. Areas of emphasis in the two-hour instructional session include proper checking technique, how to receive a check, how to avoid a check, stick checking, back checking, angling and body positioning.

This is an extremely popular program for players ages 11-14 and there is limited enrollment. For more information on the checking clinics or any other Suburban Hockey program, contact (248) 478-1600 or visit www.suburbanhockey.com.

Suburban Hockey Schools’ mission since 1974 is to provide an instructional experience that allows a student to improve their skills, knowledge of the game and overall self-confidence as it relates to the game through a “positive” learning experience.

About Suburban Sports Group

Based in Farmington Hills, MI Suburban Sports Group (www.suburbansportsgroup.com) owns, operates and manages full-service sports and entertainment facilities. In addition, Suburban Sports Group continues to provide world-class training, education, periodicals and programming for ice sports through Suburban Sports Communications and Suburban Hockey Schools.

January 17, 2008

Heat Up Your Game with SHS Mid-Winter Clinics
Clinics held in Farmington Hills, Macomb and Rochester in February.

As the season winds down and players gear up for the playoffs, the Suburban Hockey Schools will hold one-day Mid-Winter Clinics at Suburban Ice-Farmington Hills, Suburban Ice-Macomb and The Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena.

Clinics will begin at Suburban Ice-Farmington Hills on Monday, February 18 with the Quick & Fast Clinic from 11:00 am-12:50 pm, followed by Shoot to Score from 1:00-2:50 pm. Both clinics are for ages 6 & up. On Tuesday, February 19, there will be a Defense Clinic for ages 8 & up from 11:00 am-12:50 pm followed by Puckhandling & Playmaking for ages 6 & up from 1:00-2:50 pm. Clinics at SIFH will conclude on Wednesday, February 20 with Power Skating classes for mites (ages 6-8) from 11:00 am-12:50 pm and for squirts/pee wees (ages 9-12) from 1:00-2:50 pm.

Suburban Ice-Macomb will also host clinics on Tuesday, February 12 with Quick & Fast for ages 6 & up from 11:00 am – 12:50 pm followed by Shoot to Score (ages 6 & up) at 1:00 pm. Clinics continue at SIM on Wednesday, Feb. 13 with a Defense Clinic (ages 8 & up) at 11:00 am – 12:50 pm and Puckhandling & Playmaking from 1:00 pm – 2:50 pm. Outside Edges and Shoot to Score are also available at Suburban Ice – Macomb on Wednesday, Feb. 20, running 11:00 am – 12:50 pm and 1:00 – 2:50 pm, respectively.

On Monday, February 18, the Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena offers Quick & Fast from 11:00 am-12:50 pm and Shoot to Score from 1:00-2:50 pm. Both clinics are for ages 6 & up. On Tuesday, February 19 there will be an Outside Edges clinic for ages 7 & up from 11:00 am-12:50 pm and a Defense Clinic for ages 8 & up from 1:00-2:50 pm.

Players are grouped by skill and experience level within each class, and the lesson plan is adapted to ensure that every player is challenged to improve their game. Players who sign up for two or more classes receive a discount!

Enrollment is limited and full hockey equipment is required. For more information on Mid-Winter programming or any other Suburban Hockey program, contact (248) 478-1600 or visit www.suburbanhockey.com.

The Unintentional Hockey Fan

By Lai Long

Born in Cambodia where words such as ice, cold and hockey do not exist, I would have never imagined that I would play hockey. Even when I moved to the U.S., where hockey is a national sport, and particularly to a town better known as HockeyTown, I was raised in an environment where hockey was never once watched at any friends’ or family gatherings. That’s when I developed my own theories about this sport and why it could never be for me.

The first misconception was that the sport was only reserved for a certain crowd like your typical suburban Anglo-American crowd. The second fallacy was the affordability factor and the last false belief was that you have to have a large physique to play. All of these theories I have about hockey were proven wrong by the same person who created them – me – after a 50-minute session participating in the Beginner Adult Developmental Hockey League at Suburban Ice – Farmington Hills.

After being around the sport for a little over a month, I see that people of all ages and backgrounds play hockey. And maybe even more surprising is that many of them did not pick up the game until they were adults.

While hockey can be expensive, it’s just like any other sport – you need your equipment, practice time and coaching. For those that might not have the financial resources to support this interest, the thought of hockey might just be that, a thought. However, I realized that hockey can be as expensive and inexpensive as you want it to be. And with the generosity of those in the game, there are resources out there that can get you into hockey.

It was a guy named Peter whom I’ve come to know after working out every morning at Suburban Ice – Farmington Hills that pushed me to sign up for the league. Knowing that the cost of equipment was holding me back, he came in with a duffle bag full of old hockey gear for me. This equipment was passed along to Peter’s brother and he wanted to give me a chance to try the game and only asked that I pass it along to another hockey enthusiast after I was done. To me, that is the ultimate act of sportsmanship and respect for the game.

My last theory was about the physical make-up required to play the sport. My misconception of the physical characteristic was proven wrong during my first game with the B.A.D. league. My team, the Red Wings, has people from all different age groups and sizes. There are guys out there over 50 years old, guys that may not seem physically fit, guys that have smaller builds and guys that have minor physical disabilities. However, all of these guys have a passion for hockey. The best player on our team is actually the smallest guy on the team – and no, it’s not me. He is smaller than me. He started playing hockey a few years ago but he loves the sport and puts forth the commitment to develop his skills. His ability on the ice far exceeds our biggest and most physically fit guy. He made me realize that your size doesn’t matter as much as your desire to play the game and your commitment to learn it.

I, on the other hand, have just started playing hockey this season. I would consider myself to be physically fit; however, I do lack some of the skills he has. My love for hockey and my desire to learn enable me to pick up some of the basic skills. During our first game, this passion allowed me to score my first goal.

Before I walked into the rink, I bluntly told my teammates that it was my first game and I am not too familiar with the rules. Our center told me to remember that if I didn’t have control of the puck while playing offense, I should head towards the net. There I was skating vigorously towards the opponent’s net as my center was in control of the puck. He took a shot that was deflected by the goalie and I quickly captured the rebound and made a quick shot that went between the goalie’s legs into the net as the clock buzzer was going off.

I can’t describe to you the excitement that came over me after scoring that goal. All I can tell you is that I realized that hockey is not about where you came from, your income or your physical characteristics. It’s about your love for the sport and your enjoyment of the game. I realized that hockey is fun. I would have never thought that during my lifetime I would play, but my curiosity for the sport has made me an unintentional fan.

October 29, 2007

Enter to Win Ringling Bros. & Barnum Bailey Tickets at Suburban Ice – Farmington Hills

Suburban Ice – Farmington Hills will be giving away three sets of four tickets to the Ringling Bros. & Barnum Bailey’s Circus of Dreams at the Palace of Auburn Hills from Nov. 14-18.

Stop by the rink to fill out an enter-to-win slip for your chance to win tickets to the “136th Edition of the Greatest Show on Earth”.

Suburban Hockey Club and Michigan Icebreaker Girls Hockey Club members who are interested in purchasing tickets will receive a special discount. Call Suburban Ice – Farmington Hills at (248) 888-1400 for more information.

For more information on Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey, visit www.ringling.com. To purchase tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.

September 19, 2007

Enter to Win Disney on Ice Tickets “Finding Nemo” at Suburban Ice – Farmington Hills

Suburban Ice – Farmington Hills will be giving away four tickets to the Disney on Ice show “Finding Nemo” at the Palace of Auburn Hills from October 17-21.

Stop by the rink to fill out an enter-to-win slip for your chance to win tickets.

For more information on Disney on Ice, visit www.disneyonice.com. To purchase tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.

August 9, 2007

Suburban Hockey’s Preseason Clinics Prepare Players for Season
Last chance for hockey clinics before the season gets underway.

In addition to its weeklong summer programs at various locations throughout the Detroit area, Suburban Hockey will once again offer Preseason Clinics at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills on Monday through Thursday, August 20-23, the Onyx - Rochester Ice Arena on Wednesday and Thursday, August 22-23 and Suburban Ice - Macomb on Friday, August 24. There are different clinics offered at each location. All clinics are one-day, two-hour programs.

“It’s a great opportunity for kids who are already on a team for the coming season to work on certain aspects of their game that could use some improvement, as well as a good time for players performing for evaluation skates to get back on the ice and sharpen their skills,” said veteran SHS instructor Geoff Bennetts. “We offer classes that cover a variety of different skills and concepts in the game so players can pick and choose the clinics that will benefit them the most.”

Eight clinics are being offered at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills including Quick & Fast, Shoot to Score, Learn to Check, Deking & Dangling, Defense Clinic, Backward Skating, Playmaker and Outside Edges. Each class focuses on specific techniques tailored to help improve key areas to becoming a better hockey player.

The Onyx - Rochester Ice Arena will host four sessions August 22-23 including Quick & Fast, Shoot to Score, Backward Skating and Deking & Dangling.

Two classes will be held at Suburban Ice - Macomb including Playmaker and Outside Edges.

The following classes are for players age six and up: Quick & Fast, Shoot to Score and Outside Edges. Four classes including: Backward Skating, Defense Clinic, Playmaker and Deking & Dangling are for players at least nine years old. The Learn to Check clinic is designated for players 11 years old and older.

Players will be grouped according to skill and experience levels. The cost of the clinics is $48 or $40 each if a player signs up for two or more. Enrollment is limited so classes will fill fast! Call (248) 478-1600 today for more information or to register.

July 19, 2007

You're Invited! Don't miss Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills Open House
Cool off from the heat July 28 from 1 - 6 pm with a free open skate and sticks and pucks sessions.

Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills is hosting an Open House from 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm on Saturday, July 28. The event, which features radar gun testing to assess players’ shot speed and a dunk tank to check shooting accuracy, will give community members a place to cool off with free open skating and sticks and pucks. Pre-registration is required for both sticks and pucks and open skating.

There will also be professional hockey player autographs in addition to free hot dogs, popcorn and pop. Attendees will also have a chance to demo new equipment and get their skates sharpened for just $1.00.

Open registration will also be available for the Suburban Hockey Club and Michigan Icebreakers Girls Hockey Club. Players who sign up for either program will be entered to win a free RBK hockey stick that will be drawn at the open house.

For information on the Open House or any of the programs at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills, visit suburbanice.com or call (248) 888-1400!

July 5, 2007

Be a Player with Suburban Hockey Schools
Programs are offered at six different locations.

Suburban Hockey Schools is still accepting registrations for all seven weeks of its summer class schedule. Classes get underway July 9 at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills and the Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena. Summer programs continue throughout July and August at Novi Ice Arena, St. Clair Shores Civic Arena, Suburban Ice-Macomb and Birmingham Ice Arena.

Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills offers the Fundamental Goalie, Advanced Goalie and Girls program July 9-13, while the Onyx will hold Defense and Forward Schools during the same week. The 10-week Adult Breakfast Club begins July 11 at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills.

From July 16-20, Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills offers three programs including specialized programs for forwards and defensemen who are between nine and 14 years old. There is also an Adult Class that runs for four consecutive days. The Onyx’s hockey school programming continues with the Fundamental Goalie Program (ages 8-12), Advanced Goalie Clinic (ages 9-16) on July 16.

Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills and the Onyx will both hold Squirt Skillbuilder and Pee Wee/Bantam Finishing Schools July 23-27. Novi Ice Arena is running four programs during the fourth week of July including: Mite Power Skating, Defense School, Fundamental Goalie and Advanced Goalie classes.

Suburban-trained instructors, including those with professional and college coaching and playing experience, will lead these programs. Classes are open to players of all ability levels. All classes have limited enrollment, with a 6 student-to-1 instructor ratio (even lower in the goaltending program!).

Classes are filling fast! Call (248) 478-1600 or visit www.suburbanhockey.com today for more information or to register. Don't forget to ask about multiple class, family and team discounts as well as our mite and goalie combos!

June 27, 2007

Cool Off with Suburban Hockey Schools at Six Locations
Limited spots are still available for July 16-20 at The Onyx and Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills.

Suburban Hockey Schools is still accepting registrations for the second week of its summer class schedule on July 16 with programs at the Onyx - Rochester Ice Arena and Suburban Ice-Farmington Hills. Summer programs continue throughout July and August at Novi Ice Arena, St. Clair Shores Civic Arena, Suburban Ice-Macomb and Birmingham Ice Arena.

The Onyx’s hockey school programming continues with the Fundamental Goalie Program (ages 8-12), Advanced Goalie Clinic (ages 9-16), Girls Program (ages 9-14) and Women’s program.

Classes will fill fast! Call (248) 478-1600 or visit www.suburbanhockey.com today for more information or to register. Don't forget to ask about multiple class, family and team discounts as well as our mite and goalie combos!

June 21, 2007
Suburban Hockey Schools Heat Up on July 9 at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hill and The Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena
Don’t miss out on summer hockey schools with programs available at six locations.

Suburban Hockey Schools kicks off its summer class schedule on July 9 with programs at the Onyx - Rochester Ice Arena and Suburban Ice-Farmington Hills. Summer programs continue throughout July and August at Novi Ice Arena, St. Clair Shores Civic Arena, Suburban Ice-Macomb and Birmingham Ice Arena.

Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills offers four programs starting July 9 with the Fundamental Goalie program (ages 8-12), Advanced Goalie Clinic (ages 9-16), Girls Program (ages 9-14) and Women’s program. There is also an Adult Class that begins on July 11 and runs for 10 weeks.

The Onyx’s hockey school programming also begins July 9 with specialized programs for forwards and defensemen ages 9-14 as well as a Men’s Program.

June 19, 2007

You’re Invited! Don’t miss Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills Open House
Cool off from the heat June 24 from 1 - 6 pm with a free open skate, sticks and pucks session or goalie clinic.

Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills is hosting an Open House from 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm on Sunday, June 24. The event, which features radar gun testing and a dunk tank, will give community members a place to cool off with free open skating, sticks and pucks and goalie clinics. Pre-registration is required for sticks and pucks and the goalie clinic.

There will also be free hot dogs, popcorn and pop. In addition, attendees will have a chance to demo new equipment and get their skates sharpened for just $1.00.

Open registration will also be available for the Suburban Hockey Club and Michigan Icebreakers. Players that sign up for either program will be entered to win a free RBK hockey stick.

For information on the Open House or any of the programs at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills, visit suburbanice.com or call (248) 888-1400