Wednesday, November 13, 2002
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Wednesday, November 13, 2002 |
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South begins to build a reputation for hockey
Not big enough for football? Try ice hockey. That's what Glenn Speidel, 38, of Fayetteville did. Born in Buffalo, NY, Speidel was born and raised in a town that has equal passion for both the Sabres (Buffalo's ice hockey team) and the Bills (Buffalo's football team). "Growing up, we had a choice," said Speidel. "Football wasn't the only 'cool' sport around. Having an ice rink on the southside of Atlanta provides my son and his friends with that same opportunity." Speidel is referring to the IceForum at Southlake, a full service ice rink that was opened in 2000 to provide a place in south Atlanta for people of all ages to participate in all forms of ice sports. And it's quickly catching on. Children as young as five years old can be found out on the ice learning how to maneuver on skates and control a hockey stick. That's how old Speidel's son Ryan was when he took up the sport in 1998 while they were living in Knoxville, TN. Hockey's roots had already spread southward by then. When they moved to Atlanta three years ago, they were disappointed that there wasn't a rink convenient to their new Fayetteville home. "We stopped playing hockey until the IceForum was built," said Speidel. "The rink has provided a very convenient place for us to play the sport." Speidel participates in the adult hockey leagues at the IceForum, but his main focus is coaching his son's hockey team, a group of nine and ten year olds, known in hockey language as the "squirts." "For me, it's all about the kids," said Speidel. "I appreciate the opportunity to see my passion for the sport grow through the next generation." Cynthia Giovinco, general manager of the IceForum at Southlake is quick to point out that it's a great sport for people of all ages. "Don't be intimidated if you've never skated before. The IceForum at Southlake offers a 'Learn to Skate' program that will teach you everything that you need to know to be able to get out there and join the hockey craze." Deemed the "world's fastest game," it's easy to see why the southeast has seen the largest increase in the sport's participation this past year. And there is plenty of room for growth and challenge. The Georgia School Hockey League (GSHL) was formed in 1999 to educate students in the game of hockey. According to the organization's website, the natural rivalries between school clusters and opposing counties provides a competitive league for young athletes. The GSHL's southside team, known as McIntosh, calls the IceForum at Southlake it's home ice. Made up of high school skaters from Clayton, Henry and Fayette counties, the McIntosh are showing the rest of Georgia that southsiders are up to the task. For those interested in playing collegiate-level hockey, there are a number of options. Georgia Tech has had it's own ice hockey team since 1971, and began calling the IceForum 'home' this season. The team is currently 9-0 after big wins against Duke, Clemson, Indiana, Vanderbilt and Florida. For more information on the IceForum at Southlake's 'Learn to Skate' programs or adult and youth hockey leagues, please call 770-477-5112. For information on the Georgia School Hockey League or the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, please visit their websites at www.gshl.org and www.gthockey.com respectively. The IceForum at Southlake, a member of USA Hockey, the USFSA and home to the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets Hockey Team, is south Atlanta's ice-sports headquarters. Conveniently located at 7130 Mt. Zion Boulevard in Jonesboro, the rink offers programs for all ages including public skating sessions, youth and adult hockey leagues, stick time, learn-to-skate classes, figure skating, birthday and office parties and more. The center offers a Pro Shop, four locker rooms with showers and a snack bar. For more information on any program, please call the IceForum at Southlake at 770-477-5112.
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