April 2, 2014 at 3:09 p.m.
Northern Wisconsin Blizzards: The Northwoods best kept hockey secret
Northern Wisconsin Blizzards: The Northwoods best kept hockey secret
By Jamie Taylor-
The Northern Wisconsin Blizzards Hockey program, and the four AAA tournaments it runs at the Lakeland Ice Arena, is the reason.
For Steve and Janie Spencer, who have owned the Blizzards for the last five years, continuing one of the oldest AAA franchises in the state has been a labor of love, just as it was for Dan Johnson 15 years ago when he started the program.
"It definitely is (a labor of love)," Steve Spencer said. "That's certainly why we do it, it isn't for the money."
The multiple age group teams are known for playing some of the best junior hockey in the state, and draw players for tryouts from as far away as the U.P., Mosinee, Merrill, Tomahawk, Antigo, Rhinelander, Hayward and other area towns.
Steve Spencer said the program used to rely only on word-of-mouth advertising to recruit players, but now it has to have a marketing strategy to draw in youngsters.
"Where we once had 40 kids trying out for 15 spots, sometimes we just have 20," Spencer said. "Back when it started, there wasn't that many AAA programs. Now there are so many AAA programs popping up it's just watering down the system."
Janie Spencer said the atmosphere at the Lakeland Ice Arena, with its fireplace and other "Northwoods charms," makes for a family-friendly event.
"If parents know that their kids can play outside and the worst that could happen is getting a tick, they are much more likely to relax," she said. "It doesn't have that big-city feel, it's just a nice Northwoods feel."
Andy Gee, who with the Lakeland Ice Association runs the tournaments locally for the Spencers, feels that the Blizzards' presence is a great contribution to the local economy.
"I'd like for the community to recognize we have this (economic) benefit here because this is an event that could easily be moved to a larger facility, such as Wausau," Gee said. "But to have it here in the Lakeland area and run it out of Minocqua is wonderful. Even though the owners are from Rhinelander, they have kept the association with the Lakeland Ice Association, which has been huge."
Janie Spencer said the Blizzards program pays to keep ice on hockey rinks in Eagle River and Rhinelander, as well as Minocqua. This way facilities like Lakeland's, which doesn't have regular spring leagues for youth, can see its season lengthened by over a month.
Gee even thinks a shout-out by local businesses on their signs wishing the Blizzards a happy birthday would be in order.
"We want people to come out and support the team," Gee said. "It's really great hockey, and it does help the local businesses."
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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