Palmer Ice Arena to open Saturday

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Sports Editor

PALMER - On Saturday Mat-Su will officially be a three-rink Valley.

After months of construction, the Palmer Ice Arena will officially be open on Saturday. Located across from Palmer Junior Middle School, the Palmer Ice Arena joins the Brett Memorial Ice Arena and Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena as indoor ice facilities in the Mat-Su area.

And to run the day-to-day operations of the facility, Palmer Director of Public Works, Rick Koch, has hired Steve MacSwain, a former professional hockey player and longtime leader in the Alaska hockey community. Koch sees the hire as not only a great addition for the facility, but a huge win in terms of the development of youth hockey in Palmer.

"Steve knows everybody who's anybody who has picked up a hockey stick," Koch said.

MacSwain, originally from Anchorage, skated in eight seasons at the professional level after a stellar career in the collegiate ranks with NCAA-power University of Minnesota. MacSwain played for the Anchorage Aces for the last five years of his professional career. After stepping down from the pro ranks, MacSwain founded Acceleration Alaska - a business specializing in athletic consultation and training - and has coached hockey at several levels in the state.

The hire of MacSwain occurred by virtual happenstance. While at a hockey tournament in Anchorage late last year, Koch ran into MacSwain and asked if he knew of anyone who may be interested in rink manager position at the Palmer Ice Arena. Turns out, MacSwain was interested.

Koch was a bit surprised he was able to hire MacSwain as a manager, citing MacSwain's reputation in not only the local, but national hockey community. Koch noted MacSwain is probably more known in hockey at the national level, than the local level. MacSwain is heavily involved with youth select teams and the governing body of USA Hockey.

After receiving a blessing from his wife, MacSwain accepted the job in Palmer. He said his own career move coincided with a goal of promoting hockey, not only in the metropolitan areas of Alaska, but statewide. MacSwain sees Palmer as an important part of the growth of hockey in small-town Alaska. He said he would like to see Alaska comparable to the Iron Range of Minnesota, an area where hockey thrives.

"I have always loved the Valley," MacSwain said. "I have dreams of being an asset in making hockey in the state strong."

MacSwain said he sees Palmer as a community where hockey can be a success and the seats of the arena can be full for an evening hockey game. Community pride, togetherness and a hunger to promote hockey are all attributes MacSwain said he has already seen in this community.