While the facility itself is excellent and the adult leagues are well-run, the Vipers youth house/rec program at the Suburban Rochester location has significant structural issues that parents should consider before paying the high registration fees - and this review is specifically about the house program. It is worth noting that this appears to be a localized issue; we know coaches and parents at the other rinks associated with Suburban, and these problems do not seem to be present there. Based on our experience at the Suburban Rochester location, families should be aware of the following: Inconsistent Coaching Standards: There have been frequent issues with coaches arriving late to practices and games. More concerning is that official coaches have been absent from the bench during games, with non-certified parents filling in, which is against USA Hockey rules. Lack of Oversight: Concerns regarding coaching and player retention were shared with the Youth Hockey Director last season, specifically regarding coaches telling players they were not going to receive play time, which led to players quitting. In a house league. Despite this feedback, no changes were made and the same staff was retained. It appears there is very little accountability once the non-refundable fees are paid. Practice Quality: At the 14U level, the league rosters nearly 20 players and practices on a half-ice sheet. At this age and size, this leads to practices that are crowded and slow. Our experience was that practice sessions lacked structured drills and consisted mostly of half-ice scrimmaging, where players who were not involved just stood around. There was no focus on skill development, positional play, or other fundamentals. Disproportionate Instruction & Ice Time: The instruction and ice time are heavily weighted toward the top 4-5 players and the coaches' own children. Unless your child is one of the top players on the team, you will be paying the same amount as everyone else but receiving significantly less ice time and instruction than those few players, despite it being a house/rec league, it is treated more like travel. It would be beneficial to see the association prioritize the growth of every player on the team, rather than just a select few. Until then, parents should look at other locations or leagues where the high cost of registration is matched by equitable development for all players. read more

Not recommended for first-time skaters No help and no attention at all. The check in was good but after that no one seemed to be available to help or even give assistance. read more

Do you like to play?* Do you know how to ice skate? Or do you watch the Red Wings and think, "I could do that"? When I watch Zetterberg fall for no reason, I often think I could do that. Learning how to skate is playing for adults (and I guess for children too). It's fun, it's silly, it's silly fun. If you're already an ace skater, bring a date that isn't. There is no end to the amusement a flailing skater provides as you try and teach them the basics. Just don't be obnoxious and do things like skate backwards, stop without skating into something, or not fall. Ugh, I can already tell you're insufferable. Anyone who can skate better than me is. I won't try and hide that I am not a very good skater. I am such a not good skater, that Frank (the sweetest employee to ever be employeed) started giving me tips when I returned my rented skates. These tips progressed into Frank bringing in his own skates one day to try and teach me on the ice. That's right. An employee pitied me so, that he took it upon himself to teach this charity case. Now I'm a rock star at skating. A rock star that can't skate backwards, can't stop without colliding with something (or someone), but doesn't fall anymore. Baby steps. Onyx has at least one open skate session every day. I recommend with the fire of a thousand suns you do not go on the weekends. Unless of course, you enjoy a moving obstacle course made up of children intentionally trying to make you fall (sometimes by sliding in front of you on their bellies like penguins), or groups of teenage girls holding hands across the breadth of the arena. "You can't open ice check children!" Whatever. I'll knock off a star for that oppressive rule. Weekday skates are $3 with a $2 rental. Plus, you get to see Frank. He'll always make sure you have the right size and the sharpest skates, which sometimes means changing them after you've put them on. He does this because he is awesome. If you're going on the weekend because you prefer a challenge, admission is $6 with a $3 rental. Don't say I didn't warn you. Another warning: If you see me there and you can skate better than me (probable), keep this in mind. You are the Nancy Kerrigan to my Tanya Harding. Watch out. *I mean the kind of play children engage in. No real reason except the joy it provides. Not the kind of fun kids who put a magnifying glass over ants have. Ditto to the kids who pop off their sister's Barbie doll heads. That's wrong, you brat. read more

With the crazy polar vortex infused winter we have had, what would be more fun than spending a pile of time in a frozen arena ice skating? Nothing. Last week I met up with my friends Michelle M. and Madelyn S. to drop in for open skate at Onyx. Onyx is a huge facility with two (maybe there were three?) rinks. Open skate was from 12:00-2:00 p.m. (I think there is adult only time before?) and is $5.00 for skate rental and skating, or $3.00 is you have your own skates. Service was quick and the skates I rented were in decent shape. On the ice there were about 25 people there throughout the hour and a half we spent skating. What was refreshing was that there was the entire spectrum of talent abilities, including a girl practicing her best Nancy Kerrigan spinning and a dad with his maybe two year old introducing the child who could barely walk to skating--it was adorable. The fact that they were playing the most amazing assortment of music just made it all the better--we're talking Fleetwood Mac, Adele, Rod Stewart, etc. I said I wish there were disco balls and flashing lights--Madelyn said that it's probably better that there aren't. I am happy to report that I didn't fall once, but did come close a few times. I believe Onyx has lessons, hockey leagues, and figure skating troupes a la Ice Princess, though I bet they don't have a Trachetnberg. I think Onyx's open skate would be an amazing date or just afternoon of exercise with friends for those looking for something out of the box, the only downside is that awkward sweaty feeling while still being absolutely freezing. Go Onyx! read more

I really appreciate having a rink like this near my house, as where I grew up there were always tons of single rinks, at most a place that contained two rinks. So it's nice that this as three. Heads up on the open hockey however. I play here periodically, every few weeks, and it's not like what I am used to (I didn't attend open hockey much back in the day because the level of play was too low). I am used to open hockey being largely firefighters, police officers and just regular joes that don't have time to play on a team- instead open hockey here is filled with young kids that play college level hockey. So it can be kind of a bummer to go and get creamed by people that actually play on hockey teams. Just a forewarning. read more

I brought my child here for a more in-depth skating lesson. Let's just say, don't waste your money here. I was totally disappointed by the level of training my child was given. To start, the girls that were teaching did nothing but talk among themselves the whole time, while blowing bubbles and throwing stuffed animals with the kids standing still, not skating at all. That's it... This was such a waste of money. Management needs to have a discussion with the girls and to run the facility a bit better. Training was horrible! The girls that DID seem to take pride in their jobs were the 2 Olivia's and Ashley. They were great. I wish I used my hard earned money towards something else. Terrible, terrible skating lessons and customer service. read more

I have been going to the Onyx since it opened. It is a very nice arena with full size rinks. The main (middle) rink has more seating for events that have more parents and fans. I played hockey in the house league about 16-18 years ago and played hockey in the women's developmental league for a few seasons. I always used to go to the adult open skate and some of the regular open skates. The food at the concession stand is typical concession stand food. The hockey/ rink shop is priced fairly and the employees are friendly. I wish they would offer open skate "skating parties" like the Rochester roller rink did in the good old days. read more

Amazing youth hockey programs managed by a professional & friendly staff in an amazing facility. If you want to learn to skate, play hockey or just casually skate this is the place. We highly recommend the Onyx to everyone. read more

This is the nicest ice rink in all of Michigan. The place is bright, cheery

This place has some nice ice! There are so many rinks in the area that really don't seem to care what the sheet is like, so I appreciate when we skate at other rinks that don't have brown/gouged/bumpy ice (I'm in a metro-D women's league). And, best of all, the Saturday evening open skate was one of the few I've been to in recent years where I didn't have to repress a desire to clothesline someone! I am especially appreciative of the courteous people at open skate even with how crowded it was because when we go it's to teach our friends' small children how to skate and I'm always nervous about someone taking the wee ones out and scaring them off the skating. As for the non-rink areas, they are spacious and very clean. Overall a great skating experience and I can't wait for the next time we play here (or maybe I can since it's at 11 pm at night and I should be in bed by then)! read more

Great facility and staff. You can register your kids for the Learn to Skate program, book a birthday party or just visit open skate. Good times! read more

Blown away by how classy this rink is, I am from Southern California and we have a couple rinks to compare it to, but this was by far better then what I am used to, very clean place and the hockey equipment in the pro shop was cheaper then California read more

The facilities are decent but the staff, especially the staff in charge of hockey programs, are terrible. Schedules are not done in a timely manner and subject to change on a whim. We will not be participating in any more hockey programs here and I highly recommend other parents consider other local rinks. read more

The Onyx is probably the best hockey rink I have been to. The locker rooms are gorgeous and the lobby is average. The do suffer a lot of leaks in the ceilings and the showers are not the finest. The zamboni and the front desk are perfect. The arcade is not the best but the Peranis store is great very helpful, while the parties and major events held there are executed perfectly. If anything, this is a great, local ice arena that I will continue to skate at. read more

Nice rink, clean, cold... The usual. Came to watch my BF's playoff hockey game (@ 9:15pm... Pretty early) the concession stand is always closed! Bummer! What's a girl got to do to get a slushee and a soft pretzel?! smh read more

The director will be very nice, but the coaching capability of the instructors is suspect.

my kid played hockey here some time ago, was not satisfied with the league so we moved on