Bridgeport Islanders get ‘neat experience’ at New Haven’s Ralph Walker Rink
NEW HAVEN — The wind whipped through Ralph Walker Rink once in a while, gusted along from one end of the openair arena on State Street to the other, past an unusual team to be on that ice.
At least it was around 50 degrees on Monday for the Bridgeport Islanders’ visit to New Haven.
“Surprisingly,” veteran forward Chris Terry said, “I think our actual practice rink, the Wonderland of Ice, might be colder than being in here.”
The Islanders got a change of pace on Monday, visiting a rink run by the same people as run Wonderland. Terry and captain Seth Helgeson have 24 years of pro experience, and neither remembered a similar practice.
“Not like this. This is a very beautiful facility,” Minnesota native Helgeson said. “I haven’t been out on the outdoor rink in quite some time. It’s a unique way to get a practice in.”
The city renovated Walker and reopened it in 2019. The rink is fully covered, with locker rooms for skaters and for Albertus Magnus, whose men’s team plays there and whose women’s team will start in the fall.
“We love it, absolutely love it,” said Lisa Fedick, who with John Ferguson first ran Wonderland, then added the Rose Garden in Norwich, and took over operating Ralph Walker two years ago.
“The community up here has been so supportive. It’s been so family-oriented.”
Hamden Hall also plays there, as do youth programs and tournaments. Ferguson talked about several programs for the local community.
Work continues; the rink office right now is in a locker room. But they’re excited about a warming room at the far end of the
rink, a space that could be used for parties or receptions. Down the road, closing off the sides could let it operate year-round.
In the meantime, the Islanders got a different kind of day in the middle of a tough stretch that has seen them drop from a start near the top of the league back to .500 and the bottom of a potent Atlantic Division.
“It was a neat experience to be in an outdoor rink, just kind of getting back to having a little fun, a good mental break for our guys in the grind we’ve been pushing,” coach Brent Thompson said.
Thompson and Ferguson had talked about making the trip.
“After thinking about it, between (Bridgeport general manager) Chris (Lamoriello) and myself, we thought it was a good idea to get these guys out here in a different environment,” Thompson said.
“And still getting something accomplished: We want to have the compete, the small-area games, getting to the net, those little hidden things. They’re having fun and don’t realize they’re doing those little things.”