Is this the best backyard hockey rink in Canada?

While most of us stayedhibernating indoors as the temperatures plummeted to -30 C, theBuntonfamily ofGrimsbyspent their week out in thebackyard.

Southern Ontario's cold, cold week finally froze theBunton'sbackyard hockey rink, welcoming the first skate of the season.

What started off as a tiny, 13 x 30 patch of ice in 2008has grown over the last seven years into a massive, 34 x 98 hockey rink, complete with four foot boards, flood lights, a penalty box and change room with a wood burning stove inside to keep warm.

Its growing every year until it cant go bigger. I think Id have to move to go bigger, said MikeBunton. He spent 750 hours building the rink this season.

He tracked the entire step-by-step construction process in a logbook, starting back in September when the neighbour dug a giant hole in the yard with a tractor.

The neighbours young children learned how to skate on theBuntonrink and frequently join theBuntonsand their four kids Alyssa, 18, John, 15, Eric, 13 and Mike Jr., 11, playing icehockey or skating in circles in the backyard.

Its nice having the community here. I get a bunch of friends to come over for a skate after work, said AlyssaBunton.

But its not just friends and neighbours who have taken notice.

Gifts from Subban, Crosby and more

TheBuntons rinkhas caught the eye of amateur and professional hockey leagues and teams across the country.

In 2014, players fromOHLsNiagara Ice Dogs visited the rink for a game of shinny.

The Hamilton Bulldogs made a donation, too. StephenOstaszewicz, team president, hand delivered a team-signed stick for the family to put on display.

Former Bulldog, now MontrealCanadiens star defencemanP.K.Subbansent theBuntonsan autographed photo after seeing a video of the rink on YouTube.

Even Sidney Crosby mailed the family an autographed Team Canada Jersey.

"We've received so many messages saying we're an inspiration for others and it feels really good, " said Mike's wife RobertaBunton

"I started an email and YouTube channel and thought whats the harm in sending the video out to teams?Then items started pouring in, she said.

TheBunton'shome proudly displays a hockey wall of fame, from all the items they'vereceived. The wall includes items such as autographed pucks, sticks, photographs and jerseys from local house league teams all the way up to the NHL.

Every team or company that sends an item gets a logo hand-painted along the boards.So far there are 58, including a massive custom banner sent to them by Bauer Hockey.

TheBuntonsfavourite moment was a recent meeting with Walter Gretzky, but said their ultimate dream is for The Great One to stop in for a visit one day.

Wed love to have Wayne Gretzky here, hes my son's idol, said Roberta.

Last year, the family won bragging rights when their rink was named best backyard rink in Canada in the Warrior Backyard Dynasty contest. They received thousands of dollars of hockey equipment as a prize.

Weve received so many messages saying were an inspiration for others and it feels really good. Its such an honour. said Roberta.