This 11-year-old hockey prodigy sharpens skills in makeshift practice rink in his garage

CARSON, CA — 11-year-old Reydan DeRama was enjoying his best season as a Junior Ducks hockey player, racking up goals, collecting awards, and traveling to international competitions.

But since the COVID-19 outbreak, trips have become limited.

Eventually, Los Angeles County’s safe at home orders shut down rinks and canceled sporting events and practices.

“I miss it a lot, I miss my friends, and playing them, and playing hockey outside, and learning too,” said Reydan DeRama, Hockey Player.

Hoping to keep his skills sharp, his dad decided to embark on this $1500 garage project, and build this rink from plastic tiles.

“It’s a synthetic surface, It’s plastic, you can skate on it, it’s a little bit tougher, Reydan can attest to that. And it kind of damages the blade a little bit,” said his father, Randy.

Several times a week, after his remote school sessions, Reydan has been hitting this 90 square foot makeshift rink, running drills, and even working with coaches remotely, getting his ice skating sessions during this Southern California summer.

“I feel some improvement when I’m shooting pucks and it helps me develop my arm strength when I shoot pucks.”

And while his iced out garage won’t melt, he knows when the COVID pandemic melts away, his skills and confidence will be sharper than ever.