Tucson Junior Roadrunners navigate challenges of sharing a single ice sheet

Youth hockey program overcomes limited ice availability and travel issues to keep the sport thriving in Southern Arizona

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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The Tucson Junior Roadrunners, the city's premier youth hockey association, face significant challenges due to the limited availability of ice at Tucson Arena, the city's lone ice rink. The arena is occupied for several weeks each year by the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, forcing the Junior Roadrunners to travel to rinks as far as Flagstaff to practice and play. This disruption in ice time makes it difficult to develop young players, especially during the playoffs. The program continues to grow participation numbers year-over-year, but the lack of year-round ice and additional facilities in Tucson creates logistical and scheduling headaches for the all-volunteer staff.

Why it matters

Youth hockey in Tucson is struggling to keep up with demand due to the lack of ice availability in the city. The Junior Roadrunners program is working hard to provide opportunities for young players to develop their skills and love for the sport, but the limited resources make it an ongoing challenge. The planned construction of the Mosaic Quarter Iceplex, which will add three sheets of ice, could be a game-changer for hockey in Southern Arizona.

The details

The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, a major event that attracts over 113,000 attendees and generates an economic impact of $286 million, takes over Tucson Arena for several weeks each year, forcing the Junior Roadrunners to find ice time at rinks as far away as Flagstaff. This disruption in their schedule makes it difficult to develop young players, especially right before the playoffs. Coaches try to condense schedules and stack multiple games into single trips to minimize travel, but families often spend 4-6 hours on the road for one weekend of hockey. Tucson Arena does not maintain ice year-round, removing the surface each summer after the Tucson Roadrunners' season ends to accommodate other events. This leaves the Junior Roadrunners with limited rink availability, forcing them to combine multiple age groups on the ice simultaneously during practices.

  • The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show takes over Tucson Arena from January 28 to February 15 each year.
  • The Junior Roadrunners' playoffs arrive shortly after the temporary closure of Tucson Arena.

The players

David Honecker

President of the Tucson Junior Roadrunners.

Ryan DeJoe

Former coaching director of the Tucson Junior Roadrunners.

Dan Van Houten

Parent of a Tucson Junior Roadrunners player.

Ben Van Houten

Player for the Tucson Junior Roadrunners.

Tucson Junior Roadrunners

The premier youth hockey association in Tucson, Arizona.

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What they’re saying

“As we're trying to develop kids, a lot of times when you have a three-week break it's kind of two steps forward, two steps back, especially for the younger kids. It really hurts the program to have breaks like that.”

— David Honecker, President, Tucson Junior Roadrunners (azpbs.org)

“We really enjoy losing one-goal playoff games late because we haven't skated, so it's great. There's just no substitute for skating endurance. The consistency for athletic development, especially using those muscles and your anaerobic system, has to work together to play hockey. It's unique. You cannot replicate that with anything else.”

— Ryan DeJoe, Former Coaching Director, Tucson Junior Roadrunners (azpbs.org)

“It was basically four hours of driving for one hour of practice. It was brutal, but you do it because your kid loves the game. It really wears on you but that's what you do.”

— Dan Van Houten, Parent of Tucson Junior Roadrunners Player (azpbs.org)

“Being local is really cool. I've been really impressed with how they've been able to juggle all the teams that play at the convention center. They have one sheet of ice, and it's crazy – basically nonstop for the club and the Roadrunners.”

— Dan Van Houten, Parent of Tucson Junior Roadrunners Player (azpbs.org)

“We're just the avenue for kids in this part of the world to play ice hockey. As an all-volunteer staff, we really believe in the game of hockey and what it does to help make better-adjusted young men and women, and to provide a team atmosphere.”

— Ryan DeJoe, Former Coaching Director, Tucson Junior Roadrunners (azpbs.org)

What’s next

The planned Mosaic Quarter Iceplex, a facility connected to the University of Arizona hockey program, is projected to be completed by spring 2027. The complex will include three sheets of ice, significantly expanding available practice and game time for all levels of hockey in Tucson.

The takeaway

Despite the significant challenges of limited ice availability and travel issues, the Tucson Junior Roadrunners are working tirelessly to keep youth hockey thriving in Southern Arizona. The program's dedication to developing young players and providing a team atmosphere is commendable, and the upcoming Mosaic Quarter Iceplex could be a game-changer for the sport in the region.