One of the most intimidating hockey facilities in Division III hockey, the historic Playland Ice Casino is home to the Valiant men’s and women’s hockey teams for the sixth straight season in 2007-08.

Built in 1930 on the site of Westchester’s Playland Amusement Park in nearby Rye, N.Y., the Ice Casino underwent a major facelift before the start of this season, getting new boards, glass, benches and a net covering the circumference of the rink. The new boards include Valiant signage and Manhattanville’s many championship banners now also hang from the rink’s rafters.

Once the practice home of the New York Rangers, Playland’s rustic exterior is complemented by state-of-the art locker room, training and office facilities. The Valiant men’s and women’s hockey locker rooms include a sauna, whirlpool and individual locker stalls for all Manhattanville hockey players.

On game days, Playland’s balcony seating fills with rabid Manhattanville fans, who have made the Ice Casino one of the most difficult places to play in the nation in recent years. The Valiant men and women each have a winning percentage of better than .840 at Playland, going a combined 111-13-11 at home over the past five seasons, good for an astounding .863 winning percentage.

The Ice Casino has also seen its fair share of postseason hockey, most notably the 2006-07 NCAA Quarterfinal between the Valiants and Babson Beavers, a game that clinched Manhattanville’s first Frozen Four appearance in program history. Playland’s ice has also seen the Valiant men win an ECAC West Tournament Title (2006-07) and the Manhattanville women win four ECAC East Championships (2003-06) and an NCAA Quarterfinal (March 15, 2003 against Williams).

The Ice Casino has three indoor rinks - two were added in 1937 - including a rink exclusively for children. The main 205’x80’ ice surface is home not only to the Valiant men’s and women’s hockey teams but also to various youth teams in the area, open skating and individual lessons.

Playland was dedicated as a National Historic Landmark in 1987 and features more than 50 rides and attractions. Located along the Long Island Sound, Playland also features a beach, pool, boardwalk and pier. Owned and operated by Westchester County, Playland is the country’s only government-run amusement park.

ADDRESS:
1 Playland Parkway
Rye, NY  10580

DIRECTIONS TO PLAYLAND:
From the South (Long Island): Take the Cross Island Parkway North to the Throgs Neck Bridge. Merge onto I-95 North and follow to Playland Parkway, Exit 19. Follow Playland Parkway for two miles until it dead ends at Rye Playland. The Ice Casino is located en route to the entrance to the amusement park.

From the North: Take the Taconic State Parkway South to the Cross Westchester Expressway (I-287) East. Merge onto I-95 South and follow to Playland Parkway, Exit 19. Follow Playland Parkway for two miles until it dead ends at Rye Playland. The Ice Casino is located en route to the entrance to the amusement park.

From the West: Take the Tappan Zee Bridge (I-287) and continue on the Cross Westchester Expressway (I-287) East. Merge onto I-95 South and follow to Playland Parkway, Exit 19. Follow Playland Parkway for two miles until it dead ends at Rye Playland. The Ice Casino is located en route to the entrance to the amusement park.

From New England: Take I-90 West to I-84 West to I-91 South, and follow to I-95 South. Take I-95 South to Playland Parkway, Exit 19. Follow Playland Parkway for two miles until it dead ends at Rye Playland. The Ice Casino is located en route to the entrance to the amusement park.