Blackpool Ice Drome — The Famous D-Shaped Rink

Blackpool Ice Drome — The Famous D-Shaped Rink

British ice hockey has had some legendary arenas over the years… but few were quite as unforgettable as the Blackpool Ice Drome.

To hockey fans of a certain generation, the words “D-shaped rink” instantly bring back memories of one of the strangest and most talked-about venues the UK game ever produced.

While modern arenas are built to strict international dimensions, Blackpool was from another world entirely. One end of the rink curved away in a bizarre rounded shape, giving the ice its famous “D” appearance. Visiting players often couldn’t believe what they were seeing when they first stepped through the doors.

Former players still laugh about the reactions of teams arriving there for the first time to face the Blackpool Seagulls.

One story from a visiting Peterborough Pirates side perfectly sums it up.

The Pirates walked into the rink ahead of a fixture and immediately stopped in disbelief. Standing there was NHL veteran Garry Unger — a man who had played over 1,000 NHL games in some of the greatest arenas in the world.

According to former teammates:

“Garry looked at the rink, slowly raised his eyebrows… and just walked away.”

Then came the reaction from Todd “Bidsy” Bidner.

“Bidsy’s standing there going…
‘No, no, no, no… no, no no no no… we can’t play here!’”

For players used to standard ice pads, the Ice Drome was complete madness.
Angles were awkward.
The corners behaved differently.
The puck took strange bounces.
And trying to judge plays around the curved end boards was an adventure in itself.

Yet despite all of that — or maybe because of it — the rink became iconic.

That’s the thing about old British hockey.
The venues had personality.

From the freezing cold terraces of old rinks… to Durham’s famous “coffin benches”… to massive surfaces like Crossmyloof… to Blackpool’s bizarre D-shaped ice pad — every arena had its own identity and atmosphere.

You don’t forget places like that.

Modern arenas may be cleaner and more professional, but many fans still miss the character, unpredictability and sheer uniqueness of those old barns.

And Blackpool Ice Drome?
It was certainly unique! 😄

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