ROCHESTER, NY – The Nazareth Athletics Department and Athletics Director Pete Bothner are excited to announce a new home rink for the men's and women's hockey teams beginning next season in 2026-27. Nazareth's hockey home will be Station 31, a rink less than four miles — and only a few minutes drive — from campus in Fairport, NY. The decision comes after months of reviewing and assessing options between Nazareth administration, coaches, and player representatives from each of the hockey programs.
The Nazareth women's team is fresh off a historic season in which it won two NCAA playoff games, including in the national semifinal against #2 Norwich, before eventually falling in the Division III Championship game to three-time defending champion UW-River Falls. Nazareth tied the program record with 27 wins. On the men's side, first-year head coach James McDonald '20 UG, '22 G, guided Nazareth to 16 wins in 2025-26, the second most in the program's 14-year history. The Golden Flyers improved upon just eight wins in 2024-25.
The new rink to call home for Nazareth hockey comes as the Golden Flyers previously practiced and played all of their home games at Tim Horton's Iceplex, with the men's program beginning in 2012-13 and the women in 2018-19.
"We are appreciative of our nearly 15 years at Tim Horton's Iceplex," said Bothner. "It is the place that helped get both our programs off their feet."
After reviewing its options at the conclusion of the year, Nazareth felt it best to move in a new direction for a home ice rink. "We were presented with a very appealing package from Station 31 and its owner Charlie Fitzsimmons," said Bothner. "With the new partnership, Fitzsimmons has laid out extensive plans to renovate and build the rink to suit the needs of Nazareth's hockey programs. We are very excited for what Station 31 has to offer for the next chapter of Nazareth hockey."
Station 31 boasts one sheet of ice in an intimate atmosphere for players and fans. Some renovations at Station 31 have already been completed, while others are still in the works.
"It has been very exciting to work with Charlie (the owner), our coaches, and players from both the men's and women's teams to develop plans to make this rink a great experience for our student athletes," said Bothner. "The vision from Charlie and enthusiasm from our student athletes is palpable to make this a great experience from top to bottom."
Said Fitzsimmons, "We are thrilled about this partnership with such a storied Rochester institution." "I grew up nearby and had siblings and friends attend the University, so it makes this extra special. Being just four miles down the road, the arena almost becomes an extension of their beautiful campus and truly feels like a home rink. We can't wait for puck drop this fall!"
What the rink offers:
-The Nazareth logo will be displayed on a sign when you drive into the rink, in addition to the Golden Flyer logo being displayed big and bold at center ice.
- The rink delivers an intimate fan experience with standing room overlooking the ice, in addition to multi-level seating behind one of the nets.
- A dedicated Nazareth hockey space, including a lounge area with a sauna, locker dry stall area, and locker room--all within its own ecosystem.
- A Nazareth-focused facility will have a home feel to it with the rink's structural beams being painted purple. Throughout the arena there will also be banners and signage with Nazareth-specific elements.
- Flexibility for Nazareth team members to skate on empty ice during their free periods. This is in addition to regular practice times.
From the Coaches:
Our players are very excited to call Station 31 home for the future," said women's head coach Chris Baudo. "The renderings show a rink that truly feels like the home of Nazareth Hockey with all of the resources and amenities that we currently provide. We look forward to working together with Station 31 ownership to create and provide our student-athletes and fans with an incredible in-game experience that also will help us in attracting the top student-athletes moving forward."
"Creating a space that our student-athletes can take ownership of and be proud to call home is incredibly important — Station 31 gives us that opportunity," said men's head coach James McDonald. "The commitment being shown to Nazareth Hockey and the vision for the facility will create an outstanding experience for our student athletes, while helping us continue to build a championship-caliber program. We're excited to begin this new chapter and establish traditions that both past and future Golden Flyers will be proud of."
