Wissahickon Skating Club

Wissahickon Skating Club (WSC) is a non-profit skating club in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. The club was organized in 1954 for the purpose of supporting amateur and professional athletes for ice hockey and figure skating competitions. Construction began in 1955, and in 1956, the doors opened. The original building, which was thoroughly renovated in 2019, still stands today.

The Entrance sign to Wissahickon Skating Club
Wissahickon Skating Club
Location550 West Willow Grove Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Founded1956
TypePrivate
Club ColorsRed, White, Blue             
Executive Committee
PresidentKevin R. Hamel
Vice President-Ice CommitteeKathryn Larkin
Vice President-MembershipMike Budd
Vice President-House CommitteeRichard J. Podulka
SecretaryShawn Connaghan
TreasurerJeffrey Rexford
Websitehttp://www.wissskating.com

Club history

WSC was started in 1954 by a group of Chestnut Hill residents who believed their community would benefit from a skating rink. With the contributions from many families, the rink was opened in 1956. Originally the club only operated for seven months out of the year. However, by the late 1950s the club was operating year round due to new rink cooling technology.

Ice hockey

The Wissahickon Skating Club's Youth Hockey Program is likely the longest standing hockey program in the greater Philadelphia area. In the early years, our Club operated as an independent organization competing against clubs similar in structure to WSC. Throughout the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s the club produced many of the areas elite players. Many of these players advanced to prominent boarding schools and NCAA Division 1 hockey programs. The program's most notable Alumnus is two-time Olympian and New York Rangers Stanley Cup Champion goaltender, Mike Richter. Brian O'Neil (Yale University ECAC, Manchester Monarch's AHL) is another notable alum. In the early ‘90s WSC became a member of the Delaware Valley Hockey League and has since represented the DVHL and the Atlantic District at local and national championships. Typically, the club fields between 10 and 12 Youth Hockey teams (6-18) and 4 levels of Sr hockey teams (19 and older). The Wissahickon Sr "A" team has been particularly strong in recent years winning its very competitive league three years in a row and 4 of the last 6.

Exterior of WSC
Interior of WSC
Wissahickon Merritton Logo during the 40th Annual Tournament in 2006.

WSC vs. MAA

For the past 53 years, WSC and The Merritton Athletic Association located in St. Catharines, Ontario have operated a Peewee and Bantam level exchange tournament (alternating as hosts). This is a truly remarkable event and one of the oldest American/Canadian hockey exchanges between two clubs in North America. The tournament is for the Peewee A and Bantam A levels. Each player is assigned a billet, to stay with during the tournament. The tournament location alternates yearly between Philadelphia and Merritton and is held during President's Day weekend or Family Day weekend in Ontario. There is a skills competition, exhibition game, and championship game at the Peewee and Bantam levels. In addition there is an alumni game held for past participants. In 2017, mixed team competitions, a trade of players between teams, replaced the skills competition at the conclusion of the tournament.

Figure skating

WSC has a very strong figure skating program, thanks to the many veteran professional figure skaters that give daily instruction. WSC held the 1998 US National Figure Skating Championship. The club is also home to The Philadelphia Symmetry synchronized skating teams.

Wisscapades

Every two or three years the club presents an ice show called Wisscapades. The ice show, always tied to a theme, is designed to showcase WSC skaters and give the community an opportunity to see high-level skating talent. Each show has several guest stars and is a popular yearly attraction.

Pro shop

WSC has a pro shop with hockey/figure merchandise and club apparel. Custom sharpening and repairs are also available in the pro shop.

Public sessions

WSC is open for public skating every Friday night from 8:30-10:30 as well as Saturday afternoons 12:45-2:15pm. There are also additional skating slots around the holidays. In addition to public sessions the ice can also be rented depending on availability. There is also space for birthday parties and private events.

Notable Hockey Players

Mike Richter http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=4564 Brian O'Neil http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=107627

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See also
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