From FA Roots to Independent Identity
Hockey Skateboards has carved a distinct space in skateboarding by combining raw energy, dark humor, and a sharp aesthetic with roots in underground creativity. Emerging as a sister brand to FA (Fucking Awesome), Hockey was founded by Jason Dill and Anthony Van Engelen with the goal of pushing a grittier, harder-edged vision of skateboarding into the spotlight. Where FA leaned into chaos and surrealism, Hockey took on a stripped-down, confrontational style, channeling the no-frills brutality of classic skateboarding culture into its boards, graphics, and videos. The name itself—Hockey—reflects this blunt, unapologetic approach, presenting itself almost as a challenge to the polished marketing of more mainstream skate companies.
The Cinematic Edge of Hockey’s Video Legacy
From its early days, Hockey’s videos became the backbone of its identity. Each release offered more than just tricks—it was a cinematic statement. With eerie editing, stark music choices, and an emphasis on atmosphere, Hockey videos stood apart in an era when skateboarding content often leaned toward glossy production.
The raw style spoke to skaters who saw themselves outside the corporate sheen of big-name brands, giving Hockey a fiercely loyal following. The brand quickly developed a team roster that embodied this gritty philosophy, a crew of skaters whose styles matched the edge and attitude of the graphics they rode.
Benny Maglinao: The Creative Force Behind the Lens
Among the most influential figures in shaping Hockey’s voice is Benny Maglinao, the brand’s longtime filmer and creative director. Maglinao’s vision has been critical in defining Hockey’s output, using unconventional editing, haunting pacing, and cinematic framing to create videos that feel more like experimental films than straightforward skate edits.
His fingerprints can be found across Hockey’s most iconic video projects, and his role is often credited with helping build the brand’s mystique. In many ways, Maglinao bridges the line between skateboarding and art, making Hockey’s films as much about mood and storytelling as about the skating itself.
The Team That Defines Hockey’s Raw Style
The Hockey team itself reflects this ethos, featuring riders like Donovon Piscopo, John Fitzgerald, Andrew Allen, Diego Todd, and Ben Kadow, each bringing their own unpolished, aggressive style to the brand. They skate with a sense of urgency and chaos that fits perfectly into Hockey’s vision—street skating at its rawest, often filmed in gritty locations with little concern for clean lines or easy landings. The riders embody the spirit of skating as a kind of confrontation: against architecture, against expectations, and sometimes against the very idea of “style” itself.
Why Hockey Skateboards Still Matter Today
Over the years, Hockey has become more than just a brand—it has become a statement about what skateboarding can be when stripped back to its essentials. By rejecting polish and embracing rawness, Hockey continues to inspire a generation of skaters who connect with its ethos. With Benny Maglinao’s ongoing creative direction and a team that thrives on pushing the boundaries of style and risk, Hockey remains one of the most compelling forces in modern skateboarding, reminding everyone that at its core, skating is about grit, creativity, and the refusal to conform.
