The tools, side by side

Ice scheduling tools compared, read on 27 September 2026
ToolPrice readAccountFree optionHow ice reaches teams
RinkTrackFrom USD 50 a month for up to 15 teams, every feature includedYes30 day trialBy hand: slots are assigned to teams by clicking on the calendar, with ice received shown per team
RinkBookQuoted by the number of teams or organizationsYesDemos and trials; no free plan listedTracks hours against the association's own model; the decisions stay with the scheduler
Rink ReserveFree to 7 teams; Pro CAD 399 a year; Enterprise CAD 899 a yearYesStarter, up to 7 teamsDrag, click or bulk assign by hand; automatic scheduling listed as a later phase
TeamLinktFree platformYesFreeBuilds schedules from locations, availability, blackout dates and events per week; no hours target per team is described
HockeyShareFree to 25 entries; Premium USD 75.99 a year; association plans from USD 20 per user a yearYes25 ice scheduler entriesCalendar entries made by hand
Sport Scheduler ProFree to 14 teams; Pro USD 8 a monthNoUp to 14 teamsGames only; no practice ice allocation
IcesheetFreeNoEverythingAllocated to hours targets under the association's rules, then adjusted by hand

Prices as published on each vendor's page on 27 September 2026; currencies as the vendor states them. Icesheet is not affiliated with any of these companies.

Three kinds of tool

Calendars you fill in. RinkTrack's page describes assigning ice slots to teams by clicking on the calendar, and shows what each team's ice is worth. Rink Reserve offers drag, click or bulk assignment, with automatic scheduling listed for a later phase. RinkBook tracks hours against the association's own model and leaves the decisions with the operator. HockeyShare's ice scheduler is a set of calendar entries. These are good at recording and publishing; the thinking is still yours.

Game schedule generators. Sport Scheduler Pro and The League Tool build league game schedules around ice slots. They do not allocate practice ice to hours targets.

Generators behind a platform. TeamLinkt's help centre describes a schedule builder that takes divisions, locations with availability, blackout dates and events per week, and may need manual fixes when it cannot meet every constraint. It is free with an account; hours targets per team are not described.

Worked example: what an allocator does with the sample

The invented sample association has 60 slots and 12 teams. Filled by hand, that is 76 placements, each one checked against curfews, ice sizes, one practice a day and 2 coach pairs. The ice allocator makes all 76 in the browser with 0 broken rules and names the 2 teams below target with the reasons. The scheduler's time goes into reviewing, not placing.

How to choose

Common mistakes

Related: the season checklist and how to allocate practice ice fairly.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Is there free ice allocation software for minor hockey?

Several tools have a free tier: some are calendars you fill by hand, some build game schedules, and one platform's builder generates schedules from availability and blackout dates behind an account. Icesheet allocates practice ice to hours targets in the browser with no account.

What is the difference between a scheduling calendar and an allocator?

A calendar records the decisions you make and may total the hours. An allocator makes a first set of decisions for you from the rules and targets, then lets you adjust them. Both need a person to review the result.

Do these prices change?

Often. Every price in the table was read from the vendor's public page on the date shown, and may have changed since. Check the vendor's page before you buy.

Can I use more than one tool?

Yes. A common pattern is to allocate practice ice with one tool and publish in the team app families already use, by exporting CSV or calendar files.

More guides

Last reviewed 27 September 2026. Icesheet is not affiliated with any hockey association, governing body, league, arena, municipality or ice scheduling software company.