My name is Len and I live in Westford MA. Unlike Joe, I did not start playing hockey until after I graduated from college - and firmly believe that learning hockey is like learning a language - if you don't start by the time you are 5, you are doomed.

I built my first backyard rink in 2006 and have gone through 3 different "systems" - the last 2 being 2" X 12" wood boards and the full-on NiceRink setup (thermo formed boards and brackets).

I have 2 kids, one a travel hockey team playing son who would skate on the backyard rink all day/night if we let him and a non-hockey playing daughter who enjoys skating on the backyard rink equally with the post-skate hot chocolate. I also have a hockey playing wife who is absolutely crucial to the rink building/maintenance operation - without her spatial skills, the rink would not exist.

Spatial skills, and liner unrolling skills, and fill skills...you have yourself a keeper!