Hundreds of ice hockey fans to have names printed on Scottish ice rink

The Edinburgh Capitals have launched "Own the Ice", which will see fans able to sponsor a box marked on the ice pad for £10 when the ice at Murrayfield Ice Arena in Edinburgh is re-laid for the new season.

More than 250 people have already signed up for the initiative, which will see the names and messages printed within a grid drawn within standard markings on the hockey pad.

Scott Neil, manager of Murrayfield Ice Arena, said up to 700 names or messages could be printed on blocks measuring one foot by six inches.

He said: “We have been putting advertisements on the ice for a while, but nothing like this.

“No other rink has ever done this before as far as I know. I just came up with the idea and thought it would be a nice little thing for fans to get involved with. But I think some others will be following us pretty quickly if they get the same response we’re getting.”

He added: “It’s something different and it’s been received by our fans really well.”

The rink melts the ice every summer season to carry out maintenance, replacing it with a roller rink surface for four months. The ice is due to be re-laid and the building reopened to the public as an ice rink in August.

Mr Neil said fans who have already signed up to the scheme have submitted their own names, as well as names of family members who have died.

He said: “A lot of people have put names of loved ones who have passed away, or messages for them. It’s a way for them to remember them.”

A message on the ice arena’s social media page states: “Hockey fans now have the chance to become part of the rink itself with the launch of ‘Own the Ice, a new fan engagement campaign allowing supporters to purchase a personalised ice block for just £10 and have their name displayed within the arena ice design for the entire season.

“The initiative transforms the south east face off circle installation into a fan-powered feature, with hundreds of custom blocks forming part of a striking 30-foot circular design inspired by regulation hockey faceoff markings.”

It added: “The project combines hockey tradition with community participation, creating a unique experience where every supporter can literally ‘Own the Ice’.”

Murrayfield Ice Arena is home to Scottish National League hockey team the Edinburgh Capitals, as well as Murrayfield Junior Ice Hockey Club, a number of university teams and the Steel Queens, Scotland’s first all-female student team.

Fans welcomed the initiative.

One, Laura McNeill, wrote on social media: “What a fantastic idea and great way to support the Academy. Got mine locked in.”