Bears Hockey News - Rink Updates, Banner Raising and Edgework

October 2025 - Issue 25

Author

Jason Dearborn
October 16, 2025

This month I’ll get straight to it. We have updates on the upcoming rink renovation, an Alysa Liu banner raising and autograph session happening today for those reading on Thursday, and a new art initiative worth a look.

I’ve been off social media this month, so I’m not as caught up on all the creative posts from our passionate and talented Oakland Ice community. Probably not the best move for staying current, but I’ve always preferred longer form content. It takes a little more time. You have to talk to people in person and keep real relationships going. Ugh! I know, that sounds old fashioned.

Anyway, on to the updates.

I’ll see you at the rink!

Table of Contents

Spotlight: Alysa Liu Banner Raising 🏆⛸️🎉

Alysa Liu at the 2025 World Championships

Join our homegrown world champion, Alysa Liu, for a banner unveiling and autograph session today, Thursday, October 16, at 5:45 p.m. at Oakland Ice.

Rink Updates 💰🛠️🧊

Last September, many of you received an email from the rink asking for support through emails, letters, or by attending the Oakland City Council meeting. The goal was to show the city how much the rink means to you and your families.

As you may know, the facility is long overdue for a major renovation. The ice refrigeration plant has exceeded its normal lifespan. When it breaks, replacement parts aren’t available off the shelf. Each repair requires major effort, with components often needing to be custom fabricated. Modern chiller systems are far more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.

You folks understood the assignment. Hundreds of messages were sent, and your voices were heard. A few rink employees told me they read through every note and were genuinely moved by your words. The rink and the community mean a great deal to all of us, and your support made a real impact on the City Council.

So what does this all mean, and why should you care what the City of Oakland thinks? It comes down to ownership and management. The city owns the facility, while Sharks Ice manages day-to-day operations and programming under a contract. Any large capital project requires both parties to work together.

As previously reported, the city reserved a $10 million bond for rink renovation. Since then, Oakland politics have been busy with recalls and elections, but things are settling down. On November 4, the city plans to finalize bond funding for many Oakland projects, including a $10 million allocation for the rink. Beyond that point, details are still developing, and I’ll share updates in future issues as more becomes clear.

Fun fact: Municipally owned rinks often have lower hockey and programming fees than privately owned facilities.

EDGEWORK - Art at Oakland Ice 🎨🖌️🧑‍🎨

A good goalie and a good artist both see what others can’t. One studies motion, the other captures it. Few people embody both sides better than OIC Adult League goalie Mia Feuer. When she’s not between the pipes, Mia is an Associate Professor of Sculpture at California College of the Arts.

Combining her love of both art and hockey, she’s leading the rink’s first community art exhibition, EDGEWORK.

Adult League Goalie and Art Professor, Mia Feuer

“The title of the exhibition draws from both skating and psychology. In skating, edgework refers to the inside and outside edges of a blade used to achieve precise movement and flow. In psychology, edgework describes exploring the boundary between order and chaos, control and risk. In this exhibition, Edgework becomes a metaphor for how individuals navigate identity, emotion, personal growth, and creativity through moving on ice. This exhibition will be installed throughout the OIC, transforming the rink into a gallery where our artworks meet the environment that inspired them. Everyone is welcome to apply.” - Mia

Accepted art forms: photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, film, video, sound, and performance. All ages and skill levels are welcome. If you find inspiration through moving on ice, this is for you.

Submission deadline: Midnight, November 13 / Exhibition on Saturday December 13, 202

Up to 10 images may be submitted to [email protected]

Cal Hockey Partial Home Schedule

Cal Hockey will host the Halloween Faceoff against EWU on Friday, October 31 at 7:30 p.m.

The event will feature a “Best Bear” costume contest, with Oski on hand to help judge. The winner will receive Cal Ice merch, a photo with the players, and a shoutout on the broadcast.

There will be entertainment at both the October 31 and November 1 Cal vs. EWU games. Fans are encouraged to come out and join the fun.

Oakland Bears Team Updates 🐻🏆

Youth Hockey Updates

Bears 14-2 Enjoying an outdoor screening of Inside Out 2

Last month, the Bears 14-2 hockey team joined the City of Berkeley’s Movies in the Park series for a screening of Inside Out 2. Bears coach Tracey Roberts, an accomplished artist and animator, contributed to the film and inspired the character of Coach Roberts.

The team reached out to Berkeley’s Parks and Recreation Department to let them know the real Coach Roberts was in attendance. Coach Tracey was invited to say a few words about the Oakland Bears, and players handed out souvenirs from the rink with the hopes of recruiting a few future players.

It was a great night all around. Coach Tracey is a true treasure to the program, from the youngest age groups to the girls development clinic, and it was a joy to celebrate both her work and the Bears community.

Tips, Feedback and Submissions 📢

Got a story tip or highlight video from a recent game? Want to see something featured in next month’s issue? Hit reply or drop me a note — I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’ve got friends, teammates, or family who’d enjoy this newsletter, please forward it their way!