rink rat

American  

noun

Canadian.

1. a youth who spends a great deal of time at a hockey rink, helping with maintenance work, sweeping, etc., often without pay or in return for free admission to the rink.

---

rink rat British  

noun

1. informal a young person who carries out chores at an ice-hockey rink in return for free skating time

---

Etymology

Origin of rink rat

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

So when I say I’m a rink rat, I’m really a rink rat.

From Los Angeles Times

Jackson began skating at age 10, quickly transforming into a self-described rink rat.

From Seattle Times

That “rink rat” mentality served Oshie well as he climbed the hockey ladder.

From Washington Post

The son of Phelicia Wright, a self-proclaimed “rink rat”, Grays’ enthusiasm towards skating shines brightly through his big brown eyes.

From The Guardian

That Thursday morning, the shop welcomed a variety of customers at different levels: a mother picking up repaired figure skates for her daughter; a 39-year-old self-described rink rat who had the rivets redone on his left skate; a 9-year-old girl, with her parents, picking out turquoise-and-purple blade covers.

From New York Times