January 12, 2007

Rollin’ Ice Roller Hockey opens at Silver Creek Sportsplex

First Silver Creek Sportsplex partner to open doors Jan. 19

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Bay Area residents have long anticipated the opening of the Silver Creek Sportsplex. Their wait will soon be over as Rollin’ Ice Roller Hockey, the first partner of one of the largest sports mecca buildings in the United States opens Jan. 19.

Former San Jose Shark and now Silver Creek Sportsplex President David Maley oversees construction of the new 240,000 square foot sports mecca. The first partner, Rollin’ Ice Roller Hockey will open Jan. 19. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“Our goal is to build a fitness, sports and recreational destination in the South Bay,” said Silver Creek Sportsplex President David Maley. “Each component facility—from the fitness center to the soccer and hockey programs to the restaurant—will be run by partners who are experts in their fields so we can provide the highest quality service and amenities.”

Rollin’ Ice
Silver Creek Sportsplex plans are to meet the fitness, health and sports needs for every member of the family on the brand new 240,000 square foot facility. And with partners of Rollin’ Ice Roller Hockey and Club One Fitness already signed on as part of the Sportsplex, the site is well on the way to becoming a premier Bay Area fitness, health and sports destination.

Rollin’ Ice Roller Hockey is the first partner to open along with a fully stocked pro shop on Jan. 19. Founded by former San Jose Shark and Stanley Cup winner David Maley, Rollin’ Ice became the foremost inline hockey facility in Northern California operating at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds since 1996 and boasting over 30,000 members playing on its two rinks.

The new and improved Rollin’ Ice at Silver Creek Sportsplex will offer three state-of-the-art rink systems, locker rooms and showers and recreational programs for all levels and ages including youth, high school, adult and women.

It is also the home of the Patriots and the Silicon Valley Quakes travel teams as well as host of numerous tournaments. Rollin’ Ice is known for its focus on skills, sportsmanship and fun. It abides by U.S. Hockey In-line Rules and Regulations.

“I’m really excited about the opening of Rollin’ Ice Roller Hockey,” said General Manager Manny Garcia. “We’re looking forward to the extra rink and introducing hockey to a lot more people—youths and adults. And David is a great guy to work for.”

Garcia started as a volunteer at Rollin’Ice seven years ago when his sons were 5 and 2-years-old. His kids were ice skating and hockey enthusiasts and became members of Rollin’ Ice. Now, Garcia oversees 40 high school and 25 recreation teams as well as adult leagues. He’s looking forward to expanding the membership and teaching more people about roller hockey.

That’s what you’ll find at Rollin’ Ice. One child will sign up for a team and the next child will want to become involved as well. Alison Rickert’s son, 7-year-old Tyler, and 4-year-old daughter, Alyssa, are members as well.

“Alyssa’s one of the youngest players,” said Rickert. “We heard about Rollin’ Ice from a friend of a friend. Now they practice and have a game a week. It’s really great the way it’s set up because you show up when you want. We can’t wait for the nice new facility. Coach Manny is amazing. He has so much patience. The kids get exercise and better balance, an appreciation of a competitive game and have so much confidence from playing.”

Besides the kids, adults have a great time, too. Gary Brown is on the Mission Impossible team and wouldn’t miss a game or practice session. Adult teams of all skill levels are invited to join. Camps and tournaments for adults and youth are planned year round.

Club One Fitness pre-sale office also will open Jan. 19 with a launch day in March or April. Maley is negotiating with potential restaurant and sports partners for the building with a tentative grand opening the end of March.

Going Pro
Maley started practicing roller hockey off season because the exercise used the “same muscles, the same everything” as when he played pro hockey. His journey into every young man’s dream career started innocuously enough. Born in Beaver Dam, Wis., the family moved to Minnesota when he was in eighth grade. He had already started playing hockey when he was 10 and says, “it was kind of late.” In his senior year in high school, his team won the state championship.

Silver Creek Sportsplex President David Maley [far right] talks to workers as Rink 1 floors are prepared to be installed at Rollin’ Ice Roller Hockey. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“Hockey in Minnesota is like basketball in Indiana,” said Maley. “There’s an ice rink on every corner. It’s a big sport.”

Maley attended the University of Wisconsin—Madison and his team won an MCA championship in his freshman year. After four years he was recruited to play in the National Hockey League with Montreal winning the pinnacle Stanley Cup his first year with the team.

“I got lucky,” he said.

From there he played with the New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks and the New York Islanders. Maley was known as a scrappy competitor who battled hard all over the ice. While playing for the Sharks in 1994 he opened Rollin’ Ice Roller Hockey at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds.

“It has been so much fun being a part of this,” said Maley. “We have some great partners and we’re talking to some other potential partners. That is what this site is all about—getting experts in each field and giving something to the community that all members of the family can participate in.”

And when Maley isn’t working, he spends his time with his wife Karin and their two children at home in Almaden. He enjoys golf and fishing, but for now he’s putting the finishing touches on Roller’ Ice and negotiating with future partners of the Silver Creek Sportsplex.

For more information on Rollin’ Ice Roller Hockey visit www.rollinice.com or call (408) 226-611. Silver Creek Sportsplex is located at 800 Embedded Way, San Jose.