North Lakeland Ice, Inc. began over 25 years ago with a dream to play hockey in the north woods.

Dedicated parents worked together to obtain donations and a small amount of equipment purchased to begin the dream.
A rink was set up on the school grounds of North Lakeland Elementary School. The hallway in the school was a makeshift lockeroom and the
school kitchen was used for the concession stand. This was only the beginning.

North Lakeland Ice, Inc. works with between 30 and 50 children to teach and promote the game of hockey.

Our newer outdoor rink is set on the grounds of the school and participants are drawn from North Lakeland, Mercer and Lac du Fambeau School Districts. North Lakeland is one the largest geographical school districts in the State of Wisconsin covering over 55 square miles. Together with the Mercer and Lac du Flambeau School Districts, the travel area of families in our program stretches over 100 miles covering the townships of Manitowish Waters, Boulder Junction, Winchester, Presque Isle, Lac du Flambeau and Mercer.

NLII has been teaching and promoting hockey for over 25 years and has attracted both girls and boys into the program regardless of their skill level, physical ability or disabilities.

The coaching staff are all volunteers. These individuals are knowledgeable and compassionate and share a passion for playing hockey that is passed on to our players. They have a strong resolve to teach not just the game of hockey to their players, but to also teach hard work, respect, good character and solid teamwork. All layers are encourage to participate and everyone has an equal opportunity to play.

NLII promotes learning proper hockey skills and thus provides the John Eugster Memorial Scholarship Fund of $1500. per year to children who wish to attend summer hockey camps. NLII has also provided $500 in hockey camp scholarships to program alumni who with to continue developing their skills.

Up until1998 our ice was groomed by what may have been the oldest operating Zamboni in the world. With a serial number of 34, this 50 year old machine was finally retired in 1998 and has been appropriately purchased by Zamboni to be returned to California and put on permanent display. We now have a new, used Zamboni that is proudly used to groom our rink. The "Buck" Zamboni with deer antlers displayed on the front has become a welcome sight to all those who visit our rink.

Through generous donations and strong community volunteers, LJ's Hockey Hut was built. The warming facility contains a concession stand, locker rooms for the players, restrooms, Zamboni garage and a full viewing area of our outdoor rink.

North Lakeland Ice Inc. is proud to run what some see as a simple yet strong hockey program and we have maintained a growing interest in the game of hockey. We have seen over time that kids who have participated in our program have seen its positive affects long into their future.

With the generous people that surround us all today, we know we will be able to keep this program going strong for many years to come.