The Origins of “Rink Rat”: A Badge of Passion in Hockey Culture
In every hockey community — from frozen backyard ponds to professional arenas — there’s always that one player who never seems to leave the ice. The first one to lace up, the last one to go home. The kind who tapes their stick in the stands, eats snacks in the bleachers, and lives for the next shift.
That’s a RinkRat — and if you know, you know.
What Is a Rink Rat?
The nickname “Rink Rat” has long been used to describe the most dedicated and passionate hockey players — usually young, often scrappy, and always obsessed with the game. These are the kids (and sometimes adults) who practically live at the rink. Whether it’s open skate, pickup games, stick-and-puck, or just hanging around helping with drills, a RinkRat is someone who never wants to leave the arena.
They’re not just playing hockey. They’re breathing it!
Growing Up as a RinkRat
If you’ve spent time at a youth hockey tournament or local rink, you’ve seen it — kids running the hallways with teammates, still in half their gear, playing mini-stick games in the lobby, or sneaking an extra hot chocolate from the snack bar.
These are the future stars of the game — but more importantly, they’re living in the heart of it all. For many families, the rink becomes a second home. Parents chatting in cold bleachers, kids zipping around with energy only hockey can create, and siblings turning the rink into their own playground.
It’s not just about ice time — it’s about community, memories, and the love of the game.
Where Did the Term “Rink Rat” Come From?
The exact origin of the phrase is a bit blurry, but it gained traction in the mid-to-late 20th century as organized youth hockey programs began to flourish in North America. Older players and coaches would affectionately (or sometimes jokingly) refer to younger kids who hung around rinks all day as “rink rats” — comparing them to little creatures who scurried around the boards, always underfoot, always present.
The name stuck — and in hockey culture, it evolved into a badge of honor.
From Slang to Symbol
Over the years, Rink Rat became more than a nickname — it became a symbol of pure love for the game. To be called a Rink Rat means:
- You’re all in on hockey.
- You outwork everyone.
- You don’t care about status — you care about sweat, effort, and the smell of a locker room.
- You’re probably putting in just one more shift — even when the Zamboni’s already rolling.
It’s this grit and loyalty that inspired the name RinkRat Body Wash.
Why RinkRat Body Wash?
We created RinkRat Body Wash for the players who never stop grinding. The ones who are always drenched in sweat, battling odor, dealing with skin irritation, and hitting the showers with sore muscles and gear rash. The ones who love the game, but don’t love the way traditional soaps treat their skin.
Big-brand body washes weren’t made for athletes like you.
They were made for the general public — not for the rink!
That’s why we formulated RinkRat to be:
- Gentle but powerful
- Free from sulfates, parabens, and phthalates
- Infused with soothing ingredients like tea tree, peppermint, chamomile, and aloe
- Gender neutral and skin-beneficial for all players
Whether you’re a seasoned vet or a Mini-Mite, if you’re living the hockey life — you’re a RinkRat. And your skin deserves to be treated like it.
Wear the Name with Pride
Next time someone calls you a RinkRat — smile. It means you’ve earned your place in the culture.
And when you hit the showers, grab the only body wash made for the player you are!
RinkRat Body Wash. Made for hockey players. Made for you.
