Hockey is one of the most passionate sports out there, and its unique culture and athlete development make youth and high school games especially compelling. The energy in the rink is contagious, creating an experience that’s not just exciting, but genuinely invigorating to watch.
While the game itself keeps fans on the edge of their seats, many arenas are beginning to show their age, creating a growing need for facility upgrades that match the intensity on the ice.
ScoreVision Hockey Experience
We’ve had the pleasure of supporting hockey teams across the United States. While writing this blog, we recently had the chance to sit down and speak with two teams leading the charge in the northern part of the Midwest—Dassel Cokato High School and North Shore Ice Arena.
Where Should You Start?
While there are many needs when upgrading your facility, at North Shore Ice Arena, the scoreboard became the first visible step that ensured an immediate impact on the game day experience.
“Our rink used to be viewed as kind of a dump,” said Pete Cecil, president of the arena’s volunteer board. “The scoreboard was the first big change we made. Now people walk in and say, ‘This is so nice.’”
Scoreboards have a profound impact on fan engagement when they’re upgraded to a digital display. They become more than a way to keep score—they transform into a powerful platform for bringing the game to life and connecting with fans through dynamic, real-time media.
“It helped change the narrative about our rink,” Cecil said.
Before ScoreVision, their hockey games were run using a traditional controller and a static scoreboard that showed only the essentials: score, time, and penalties. When equipment failed, there was little support. Game nights were functional, but nothing more.
Today, they can offer an experience that ranges from basic scoring to a full production—including the ability to live stream and build momentum through graphics, animations, and videos.
“It is bringing professional experiences to a local rink,” Cecil said. “And we’re still just scratching the surface.”
Why Should I Start with the Scoreboard?
At Dassel-Cokato High School, Activities Director Byron Westrich has seen firsthand how small production moments can transform the energy inside a hockey facility.
As the visiting team finishes warmups, the lights go down, and a hype video plays across the scoreboard featuring the hockey team.
“The crowd really enjoys that,” Westrich said. “It makes the experience more fun.”
Even simple changes—like displaying player photos during introductions and rotating sponsor ads—create a different atmosphere than the traditional scoreboard experience.
“With the digital scoreboard, we can do so much more than just show the score and time,” Westrich said.
That difference becomes obvious when comparing games that include production elements and those that don’t.
“It’s noticeably a different experience,” he said.
Creating Community Through Sponsorships
While the scoreboard is a great starting place for updating your facility, we know it’s not the only thing teams need to succeed, but it is one way to sustainably fund future upgrades.
Create a Sponsorship Program for Your Sports Team
ScoreVision teams have the advantage of using one connected platform to manage all advertising across displays at concessions and scoreboards. With tools that help you sell and manage your sponsorships, you can rely on sustainable revenue that can go towards other improvements.
Brands are looking for an easy way to grow visibility with sports fans and younger audiences. Programs like Lakeville Hockey have demonstrated how media and other in-venue content can support both the fan experience and program funding.
At North Shore Ice Arena, the scoreboard has already begun supporting fundraising efforts and helping attract more events.
“It opens doors to do things we didn’t even think about in the beginning,” Cecil said.
Organizations like Omaha Hockey Club are also exploring how modern scoreboard experiences can strengthen connections between players, families, and the broader hockey community.
What’s the Difference Between Others and ScoreVision?
Both North Shore Ice Arena and Dassel-Cokato High School describe a similar journey.
Early uncertainty gave way to comfort and confidence.
“Six weeks ago, I wouldn’t have said I had 100% confidence,” Westrich said. “Now I do.”
That transition came through experience, repetition, and support.
“Knowing that customer support is there is huge for us,” he said.
At North Shore, Cecil describes a similar shift.
“The fear of catastrophe has been put to rest,” he said. “If you have people willing to put in the work, the sky’s the limit.”
A Brighter Future for Hockey Athletes
This improvement for hockey facilities is only the beginning for a growing sport across the United States. Our goal is to not only make a professional hockey experience accessible for youth and high school teams, but to make creating that experience attainable. ScoreVision believes that every student and athlete should have the opportunity to play in an electric environment with community support. Our software supports this belief by making scoring, production, and advertising easy and powerful for sports teams.
See All The Hockey Features ScoreVision Has To Offer.
Find all the available features for scoring hockey with ScoreVision advanced scoring. From advanced penalty logic and timers to a hockey rink-inspired design, ScoreVision hockey scoring has all the features you need to take your rink to the next level.
