Chris Jones provides updates from Italy ahead of the upcoming Milano Cortina Olympics. Don Moffatt, known as the “ice master,” found himself thrust into the limelight at the Milano Santagiulia hockey arena. His journey with ice began in Peterborough, Ont., where he watched his dad create a backyard rink, sparking his passion for the game and its icy surface.
Now 67 years old, Moffatt is a globally recognized expert in ice-making, facing his fifth Winter Olympics as his most challenging task yet. Due to construction delays, he could only start building the rink just before Christmas, with welders’ sparks surrounding him during the initial pour.
Typically, ice undergoes months or even years of testing before being used in high-level competitions. However, Moffatt’s latest ice surface was less than three weeks old when several Italian teams skated on it over the weekend, closely monitored by the NHL and hockey enthusiasts worldwide.
During Saturday’s three games, designed to replicate Olympic-level demands, the ice held up reasonably well despite the intense pressure. A minor incident involving a hole in the ice during Friday’s opening game went viral, with a green watering can used for the repair becoming a notable element in the arena’s ongoing narrative.
The NHL is expected to make a decision on Sunday regarding the participation of its players in the upcoming Olympics, marking their return since 2014. Organizers express confidence in attracting the world’s top players to Milan in February, with chief games operations officer Andrea Francisi affirming this commitment rink side on Friday.
Moffatt understands that the quality of his ice will determine the fate of the men’s tournament at the event. A news conference scheduled with him on Saturday was canceled as he focused on more immediate concerns. Organizers released a statement on Moffatt’s behalf, indicating his contentment with the ice quality and downplaying the significance of Friday’s repair.
Having experienced challenges in past Olympics, including a near-disaster in Torino in 2006, Moffatt has a remarkable track record, having crafted the ice for iconic moments like Sidney Crosby’s golden goals in Vancouver 2010 and Beijing 2022. Despite concerns over the rink’s size in Milan compared to NHL standards, similarities to the Beijing rink provide reassurance.
Moffatt views ice as a living entity with its own characteristics, requiring a delicate balance of conditions for optimal performance. While he follows precise measurements like a scientist, there is an artistic aspect to his work, evident in his meticulous adjustments and inspections during breaks in Saturday’s games.
As construction activities continue at Milano Santagiulia, Moffatt faces the additional challenge of managing dust accumulation on the ice. With only 25 days until the first Olympians compete on his rink, he remains focused on perfecting the ice quality, making subtle tweaks and assessments with every opportunity, reminiscent of his childhood fascination with the shimmering surface.