Army began playing ice hockey in 1903–04 and initially used the Lusk Reservoir as their home venue.

As the sport became more popular at West Point, the student body began to campaign for a greater investment in the program.

Still learning how to maintain the rink, Army was forced back onto the reservoir after a warm spell in January of 1916.

In 1919, cold weather came late in the year and Lusk used instead while in 1928 the temperatures remained too warm for a full-sized rink to be made and the facility at Bear Mountain was used instead.

In most seasons, warm air, sunshine and rain forced Army to cancel a few games but the team did receive better ice than that had on Lusk.