Two NHL-sized rinks under the same roof as the hotel

The Twin Rinks have their own website, run by River Cree Sports LP, which describes itself as a newly formed Enoch Cree Nation company built around ice-sports facility management and programmes. The facility has two full NHL-sized rinks and a full-service pro shop for skate sharpening, laces, tape, sticks and protective equipment. The hotel overview lists the same "2 NHL-sized hockey rinks" among the resort's amenities.

What runs on the ice

• Public ice time and drop-in programmes, with a monthly schedule on the rinks' site.
• The River Cree Hockey League (RCHL), an adult recreational league affiliated with the Adult Safe Hockey Network.
• Learn 2 Skate and youth programmes, including a youth league.
• Ice rentals by phone on 780-930-2681 or online.

Why the 2024 rule change matters here

Until July 2024, the resort says, minors had to walk outdoors, in any weather, to reach the hockey rinks or community events in The Venue. Since 29 July 2024 they can walk through the building's non-gaming areas with an adult. For a youth tournament in January, that is the difference between a coat-on-coat-off shuttle and a corridor.

Watching from the bar

River Cree's home page describes Tap 25 Sports Bar as having live hockey from the Twin Rinks on its screens. Tap 25 takes walk-ins and serves food from 5 am to 1 am, and it publishes a kids menu.

Staying for a tournament

For teams, the meetings page offers group rates on blocks of 10 rooms or more. Two queen beds is the room most parents ask for; the Luxury Family Suite is the other option. Put the tournament name and the number of players and parents in the note on the coupon below, and we will ask the hotel for a block.

Hours

The rinks' office keeps Monday to Friday hours of 9 am to 11 pm and weekend hours of 8 am to 11 pm. The concession runs 4 to 10 pm on weekdays; during tournaments, the site says, it opens daily from 8 am to 10 pm.