The Brett

J's World, by Jeremiah Bartz

The local prep pucks season has begun, which means that I will be spending about three nights a week for the next three or four months at the Brett Ice Arena covering the local high school games.

With four local high school teams, numerous club teams and countless youth teams all needing ice time, it is ludicrous to think that the Brett is the only indoor arena in the area.

With the building of the new sports complex in Wasilla, more ice should be available for the local pucksters.

Even though there are many reasons why this area is desperate for a modern facility for hockey and the other ice sports, the Brett has it's own style -- it's own charm.

With just one glance inside the doors of the arena, you can figure out that the facility is old.

It looks as if the Brett is older than 90-percent of its users.

But it also has an old-time hockey feel.

It is the type of arena that the hockey classic Slap Shot was filmed in. Paul Newman, the Hanson brothers and the Chiefs would all fit in there.

The ceiling of the Brett is lined with this aluminum foil-like material. It is like you are sitting in a giant bag of Jiffy Pop.

The walls are beginning to crack, and the giant fans that blow the warm air throughout the arena, make bizarre noises.

But this all adds to the character of the Valley's hockey rink.

In the past few years, a great deal of work has been done to improve the conditions of the arena.

I am sure when new facilities are built in the future, the Brett will still be open for service.

The Brett will continue to age, the walls will continue to crack, and it will still feel like you are sitting inside a giant bag of Jiffy Pop, but it should stay this way.

Older arenas have character. They have charm. Too quick we are eager to get rid of the classic arenas in favor of the fancy facilities.

Hopefully the Valley will get the new facilities sooner or later, but I also hope there is still room in the hockey community for the Brett.

Jeremiah Bartz is the sports editor for the Frontiersman. He needs to finish his pages quick, he has to be at the Brett in 25 minutes.