Delta Dental Arena - New Hampshire Mountain Kings
- Paul Baker
- Apr 8
- 5 min read
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14
Delta Dental Arena
311 W. River Rd.
Hooksett, NH 03106
Year Opened: 1998
Capacity: 1,500
Kings of the White Mountains
The New Hampshire Mountain Kings are members of the Tier II North American Hockey League, a premier developmental league for players looking to continue their careers and advance to higher levels of hockey, including collegiate and professional levels. The Mountain Kings were established in 2023 when their ownership group purchased the local arena and were granted an expansion team.
The Mountain Kings play their home games at Delta Dental Arena in Hookset, NH, a suburb of Manchester. Opened in 1998 as Tri-Town Ice Arena, the facility was the first twin-sheet facility in the state. Northeast Delta Dental entered into a multi-year naming rights deal with the facility in 2025.
In their first three seasons, the Mountain Kings have qualified for the playoffs once, losing in the play-in round in 2024-25.
Food & Beverage 5
We often say on these pages that community rinks have sneaky-good concession options. Delta Dental Arena certainly fits the bill. The arena’s snack bar, named “Rivalries” has different menus for whether you are there for a Mountain Kings game or another event.
For NAHL games, even though the menu is downsized, there are plenty of choices here. Pizzas, burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, fried chicken sandwiches, chicken Caesar wraps and chicken nuggets are all available. An assortment of sides, including fries, onion rings, pretzels, nachos, mozzarella sticks and popcorn fill out the menu. A small cooler offers some healthier choices, including fruit cups and more.
Pepsi products are featured at Delta Dental Arena. There is a full-service bar on the other side of the café area. A good selection of national and craft beers are available, highlighted by $3 Bud Lights at every Mountain King game. Fans looking for a craft beer will find Fiddlehead IPA, New Hampshire Lager by Deciduous Brewery, Cone Head IPA from Zero Gravity and Cloud Candy IPA from Mighty Squirrel Brewing.
Atmosphere 2
While we just finished singing the praises of the concessions of community rinks, the same often can’t be said of the game day presentation at these rinks. The resources are just not there for an elaborate show. At a rink like Delta Dental Arena, the game is the focus.
The sound system here is excellent, and is put to good use with music during play stoppages and a PA announcer who adds some energy to the proceedings. The inclusion of Brass Bonanza after Mountain King goals is a head scratcher, but always welcome. There are a few on-ice promotions during intermissions, but for the most part, the energy in the building is brought by the fans in attendance. Luckily for the Mountain Kings, the fans here are very enthusiastic. The amount of Mountain King jerseys you see in the stands here is most impressive.
Neighborhood 2
Delta Dental Arena is located in a mixed use residential/business neighborhood. Visiting fans will not find a whole lot of dining or lodging options in the immediate vicinity of the arena, but there are choices around for fans who are willing to take a drive.
The Pizza Man of Hooksett is located close to the arena, and seemed to be very busy during Stadium Journey’s visit. There are a few fast-food options close to the I-93 interchange, and Mr. Mac’s Macaroni and Cheese serves up a variety of gourmet mac and cheese dishes just a short drive from the arena. Of course, downtown Manchester is only a 15-minute drive away. Fans will find plenty of dining and lodging options there.
Fans visiting during the winter months will find plenty of winter tourist options in the White Mountains, located just to the north of Hookset up I-93. Several excellent ski resorts can be found in northern New Hampshire. For more information on attractions in the area, visit www.visitwhitemountains.com.
Fans 2
Crowds at Mountain King games are what we here at Stadium Journey like to call “friends and family” type of crowds. The great majority of the people in the stands have a personal connection with the players on the ice, either as billet families, family members, friends or classmates. As you might imagine, they are very involved in the action, and very supportive of the home team. Since the bulk of the Mountain Kings’ schedule consists of games against other northeastern teams, you’ll be sure to see plenty of visiting fans in the stands. This is a place you can feel comfortable sporting the opposing team’s colors.
The Mountain Kings generally draw between 150-300 fans per game, a figure which has remained consistent over their first three seasons. Stadium Journey visited Delta Dental Arena on the team’s final weekend of the 2025-26 season, with an announced crowd of about 200 fans in attendance. This figure appears to be accurate.
Access 4
Delta Dental Arena is located in the town of Hookset, New Hampshire, a town of just under 15,000 residents located between Manchester and Concord. The arena is easily accessible, as it is located about two and a half miles off of Interstate 93, which runs north-south the length of the state from Boston to the Vermont border at St. Johnsbury. Exit 10 will put you on West River Road a short distance from the rink.
There is ample parking at Delta Dental Arena. Fans will enter into a small lobby, where a ticket table will be located. Upon entering the facility, fans will find the Ryan Frew Memorial Rink directly ahead of you. This is where the Mountain Kings play. The snack bar is located at the far end of the arena, as are the restrooms.
Seating consists of molded bleachers that run along one side of the rink and at one end of the ice. Some standing room is available at ice level at the other end of the rink, as well as some areas at the top of the seating area. Fans can also take in the action from the hallway/snack bar area, where several benches are set up. Many fans will choose to watch the game from the warmth of these areas.
Return on Investment 5
Admission to Mountain King games is sold as general admission for just five dollars. Parking is free in the arena’s lot. Concessions are reasonably priced as well, making a night at Delta Dental Arena an affordable entertainment option for southern New Hampshire sports fans.
Extras 2
The Mountain Kings have a nice display of all the specialty jerseys the team has worn in their brief history.
Delta Dental Arena has an actual functioning dentist’s office in the facility. Makes sense on a couple of levels, and worth a mention here.
Final Thoughts
What can you say about a hockey rink with an actual working dentist office on site? Ironic? Maybe. Awesome? Definitely! Delta Dental Arena is a solid, affordable place to catch some junior hockey action.
