BRICK – Goodbye Ocean Ice Palace. Ocean County will lose another iconic attraction when the Ice Palace closes at the end of this month.
The township-based rink on Chambers Bridge Road was built in 1962 by Dr. Leon J. Dwulet whose daughter, Joan Dwulet, currently owns it. Published reports show the Ocean Ice Palace is managed by Raven and Andrew Barten; Raven is Joan Dwulet’s daughter. Rumors that the 13.34-acre property was for sale in early 2020 were said to be false according to Andrew Barten.
The rink drew thousands of young people who learned how to skate there and also held pee wee hockey tournaments. Some of those players later became members of the National Hockey League. Many a high school and club championship were won there as well.
Its closure was announced by its owners on social media on July 6. It noted in a post that after six decades of family owned and operated businesses, “Ocean Ice Palace & Ocean Hockey Supply will be closing their doors at the end of this month.”
The posted added, “we are extremely thankful to all the friends who have become family and customers who have become friends over the years. The decision was not made lightly and certainly not without being given much thought.” It also noted the Palace’s pro shop would remain open through the end of July, and the programs and camps scheduled would continue through July 31.
In 2007-08, Dwulet negotiated a potential sale of the rink to Brick Township for $5.25 million. Following a year of discussions and a proposed referendum on the purchase she withdrew from the sale.
The Ice Palace was home to many of Brick’s youth and high school hockey teams for most of its history and has seen a number of its players go on to the college ranks and some go to the pros.
Brick Township High School graduate Jim Dowd, who had a 17-year NHL career and won the 1995 Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils, played at the Ice Palace.
Another NHL player who was a regular there was James van Riemsdyk, who played youth hockey with Brick Hockey Club and plays for the Philadelphia Flyers.
There was a disagreement between the township’s school district and the rink’s owners in 2016 concerning fees for ice time when the rink in Howell offered a discount. The school board decided to continue using Ocean Ice Palace for the 2016-17 season but the Brick and Brick Memorial hockey teams moved to the Howell Ice Arena in 2018.
The Brick Hockey Club moved out of Ocean Ice Palace last year. Their teams and operations went to the Jersey Shore Arena in Wall Township.
The rink added bumper cars on ice in 2018 to diversify its operation and in hopes of attracting more customers.
