Wings Arena: Connecticut’s Newest Sports Facility
Connecticut’s newest sports facility, Wings Arena, has been designed with the ambitious goal of becoming the premier hub for hockey and athlete training in the region. Officially launched on July 21 in Stamford, the arena represents a collaborative effort between EN Hockey and Matterhorn Fit, both of which offer specialized training and rehabilitation services on-site.
Leadership and Vision
At the helm of Wings Arena is CEO Francois Magnant, who brings experience from his playing days in NCAA hockey at Yale and a strong connection to the sport from his upbringing in Montreal.
“Our goal is to integrate top-notch resources into one space, fostering a nurturing environment for athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike, empowering them to strive towards their health and performance goals,”
expressed Magnant in a press release.
A State-of-the-Art Facility
The arena boasts a two-story design with seating for over 300 spectators, complete with off-ice training zones, video analysis rooms, skate services, and a café. It is set to enrich hockey training in Connecticut, supplementing the existing programs run by EN Hockey, a well-regarded hockey school offering summer clinics across seven states. Renowned NHL players, including Kevin Shattenkirk and Trevor Zegras, have honed their skills with EN Hockey founder Erik Nates, who himself played NCAA hockey.
Transformative Training and Rehabilitation
Nates highlighted the purpose of Wings Arena as a transformative space for athletes, stating,
“This is a launchpad for hockey players to enhance every facet of their game, from skating techniques to cognitive decision-making and recovery strategies. We’re excited to translate this cutting-edge vision into reality right here in Stamford.”
Later this fall, Matterhorn Fit will commence operations at Wings Arena, specializing in neurologically-informed rehabilitation and performance services by appointment. CEO Ryan Vesce, a former professional hockey player with experience in the NHL and overseas leagues, explained their unique approach: instead of merely alleviating pain, they identify its sources and related compensations, developing movements that address underlying issues.
Vesce commented,
“Our methodology integrates state-of-the-art neuroscience with elite athletic training, enabling individuals to recover faster, optimize their movement, and perform at their highest level, whether on the ice or off it.”
Growing Hockey Community in Connecticut
In terms of player participation, USA Hockey recorded a rise in registered players in Connecticut, reaching 12,338 in 2024-25, an increase from previous years. Notably, the state is also home to prominent NHL figures, including Craig Janney, the all-time leading scorer from Connecticut, who notched 751 points in his career between 1988 and 1999, alongside other notable names like Max Pacioretty and Chris Drury.
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