The NHL and Florida Panthers have partnered with SLAM Miami school to open a synthetic ice rink as a legacy project from the 2026 Winter Classic, providing students with year-round hockey access and promoting the growth of the sport in South Florida.
The Kalamazoo Wings Event Center will close permanently in spring 2028, following the closure of Wings West due to ice plant failure, raising concerns about the future of youth hockey in the area. The city is building a new downtown arena set to open by 2028, which may help address the gap.
The Kalamazoo Wings Event Center will close permanently in spring 2028, following the upcoming closure of Wings West ice arena in September 2025, raising concerns about the future of youth hockey programs in Kalamazoo.