Invicta Dynamos: The call of the ice
With the noise, the memories and the occasional fight, the Invicta Dynamos epitomise a ‘family club’. While ice hockey is not for everyone, for some it is everything, writes Samuel Wood
Dave Trevallion - ICY Photography
If you’ve visited an ice rink before, you’ll know it can take your breath away. That’s no different at Gillingham’s Planet Ice - a staple of Medway for decades and the home of ice dancers, families, toddlers taking their first skates and the Invicta Dynamos.
I’d arranged to meet head coach Karl Lennon ahead of one of the twice-weekly training sessions that end after midnight.
This Planet Ice rink serves the whole county, so training waits until the public have left, the ice has been resurfaced and the roster of players have finished their day jobs.
“These hours aren’t kind for a social or family life,” Karl explains. “These players have to balance a lot to be here.”
Karl met me in the lobby and took me past the rink, where teenagers were training for the club’s junior development system. It’s a physical experience just walking past them, the intense noise, the sheer speed of the skaters - the cold startles away my tiredness.
I already get why people love this sport.
The opposite to that cool freshness is the Dynamos’ locker room, which is not only considerably warmer but also has a pungent fragrance to make me sleepy again, though the high-decibel blast of, oddly, folk music brings me back.
The locker room is a corridor of benches and we make our way past walls of jerseys, sticks and a workbench for fixing all things hockey - except for bones.
In fact, injuries are an issue, with Karl and his brother, deputy coach Anthony, frustrated the team aren’t where they deserve to be this season. Still, everyone has shown up tonight, including the injured, for time on the ice.
Gillingham’s ice is rougher than other rinks, due to its age and the several hundred members of the public tearing it up before the players can - but this works in the Dynamos’ favour.
“Our ice is notoriously rough. Our opponents hate coming here, which helps,” says Karl. “People don’t realise how much energy you expend on this ice. You’ll see players post-match steaming in the cold air.”
Karl’s insight goes beyond that as head coach and even beyond his years playing. He, like many on the roster, began skating practically as a toddler. Also, like many playing today, he began skating at this rink.
Karl is Gillingham ice rink man-and-boy, having grown up here while his mother worked in the rink’s office.
This rink was more than a place of work or a hobby - it was a playground but one with no soft landings. As Karl says: “There are no natural skaters, but with the risk of landing hard you have to sink or swim. The water’s frozen, but you’re the splash.”
Karl introduces me to some players who’ve arrived ‘early’ before 10pm, including Lewisham firefighter Dan - a product of the Dynamos’ junior system who played professionally in the UK’s premier league. He debuted with the men’s side aged 13, prior to the league implementing an age minimum of 16.
“I was probably much smaller than I remember. But when on the ice I was protected by our tough guys,” he tells me.
Protecting teammates - the fights in which helmets and gloves are thrown to the floor and fists take to flailing - is an integral part of ice hockey.
Dan tells me: “Once, at another club, we played against a Canadian enforcer who was hired to be on the ice ready to fight. His fans got to see three or four fights a game!”
But times are changing. Karl explains: “Today’s game is more skill-based. Back then, players weren’t the best but were great for the scraps. Now fans enjoy a higher standard of hockey and the few fights help control momentum and show the fans we won’t let their team get mucked about.”
Injuries are a risk regardless of fights in this high-speed, high-impact sport. Just last week a player dislocated his shoulder grabbing an opponent.
Dan adds: “Predominantly my injuries have been concussions. Once, I wasn’t even on the ice. I leaned too far over the board and someone flew past and whacked me!”
Karl nods along to this: “It’s not what it was, but I do want new players to develop that edge. Our development system helps them grow up quickly – you have to in hockey.”
The club prides itself on developing talent, with players heading to the UK premier league, or around the world, to play. It also welcomes home old pros record-to support the next set of youngsters. The pull to this rink is immense.
Appearance record-holder Harrison Lillis played his first game with the Dynamos 14 years ago, having come through the club’s legendary development system and first been inspired by legendary film The Mighty Ducks.
“My grandad played football for Gravesend & Northfleet and my uncle played for the Gills, Maidstone and QPR... They were a bit heartbroken that I wasn’t going into football, but after seeing Mighty Ducks and coming to this rink for the first time I was set for life.”
Many are drawn to ice hockey, but the ones who stay are lifers. The sense of family and the passion on display is testament to this chilled arena being their home. The fans appreciate this more than anyone.
A few days later, it’s game night, Dynamos vs the Cardiff Fire, and the rink is alive. The game is ferocious and tattle has begun.
The sound of the game and the crowd is sensational - I swear it’s louder because it’s cold. The ranks of fans sporting Dynamo jerseys are roaring with every move towards goal and with every tussle on the ice.
One of them is Carlos, who since first attending 25 years ago has been hooked ever since. He and his family have travelled with the team to Cardiff, Peterborough and the Isle of Wight - blasting his vuvuzela at every game.
“I just really want to say about how this club is a family club,” he says. “My mum, brother and I had season tickets for decades. We lost my mum in 2022 and the club dedicated both that night’s game to her and the trophy we won the following year. With the Dynamos, we support them, but they support us.”
Behind Carlos is a seat with a picture of his mum, kept in memory.
I make my way past ecstatic fans, blaring music systems and the bench of steaming players to speak with club-owners Kevin and Sarah Parrish in the rink’s bar. Kevin is a former Dynamo while Sarah was his nervous girlfriend watching on. Now married 20 years, they split responsibilities between Kevin’s work with the team and Sarah’s work on marketing.
Between them, they prioritise the fans and the players equally, having taken over from Kevin’s mother, Jackie, just before Covid hit.
“There were no games for 18 months,” says Sarah. “We had to keep the club alive - with quiz nights and player videos to fans. Without that connection to the fans, it wouldn’t be the same - our success is in tandem with their support.”
Kevin agrees: “For the average away game, we take about 150 fans with us around the UK. For a big game, double. They deserve to see our success, but they deserve more to see us do them proud. On the ice, that’s passion. Off the ice, it’s keeping us financially viable so we don’t fade away.”
Kevin first attended the rink as a boy after seeing a newspaper advert. Later he played in the Dynamos’ very first game, back in August 1997.
There have been many successes down the years, with dozens of trophies in the cabinet, while the attraction of pulling on the Dynamos shirt has seen players of all nationalities represent the team.
The rink is awash with memories for so many. It’s a hub for people pursuing what they love, an outlet for sporting prowess, a home for young players taking to the next stages of their careers on ice and a source of local pride for fans. Yeah, ice hockey isn’t for everyone, but for some it’s everything.
