Johnny's Icehouse - East — Attraction in West Chicago Township

Having recently moved away from Chicago to the south, I miss JIH more than ever. When I first moved to Chicago, I was playing open (rat) hockey at least 3-5 times a week. Being out of the chicago area, I see that I took for granted having the amount of skaters (usually good skaters!) and ice slots available. I haven't been to the new second rink location since moving, but the original one was very unique also, with the bar on the bleacher level (and the heaters in the bleachers which was the only reason my wife came to watch any of my games), and the underground parking garage. The league play was very competitive and fun, and the guys that worked there were as entertaining...

It's dark, dank and small but there aren't too many places to play hockey in Chicago now are there?

It's the older yet smaller brother of Johnny's West, where the Blackhawks practice now. The sheet of ice isn't NHL size but ANYONE can learn to play hockey here.

They have adult classes, Hockey 101 and 102, if you're lucky enough to get in because of the growing popularity of the game in Chicago. The Chicago Jets kids team also practices and plays here if you're looking to get your kids started.

It's everything you need to get started in the game no matter what your age is. If you're 21 you can go to the Stanley Club to get wobbly while your kid is wobbling on...

The only reason why this place is open is because it's like the only ice rink in Chicago. The figure skating lessons are terrible -- run by some woman who only cares about kids following her arbitrary rules. There is no curriculum or anything to her weekly lessons --- just do whatever they feel like doing with minimal supervision or guidance for the students.

This isn't the fort skating lesson my child has had. We lived in Canada where there were many options and classes for skating, and compared to those, this...