SSM to build new "studio" ice rink

In a joint effort to build Faribault into an “epicenter” for hockey in the state, Shattuck-St. Mary’s plans to construct a new “studio” hockey facility in time for the 2011-12 school year.

The new sheet of ice, which will be 85’x95’ (a normal rink is 85’x200’), will not only be used by SSM players to work on their skill sets, but a 10-year agreement has been reached with the Faribault Hockey Association to give the Mini-Mites, Mites and Squirt teams use of the ice for two hours each evening and one hour each weekend day for no charge.

“The focus is on the young kids and growing hockey in Faribault,” FHA President Jason Johannsen said. “One way to facilitate that is to have this program get more ice time to develop the kids. Faribault youth hockey and Shattuck have strong relations that have been building over the last three, four years. This further cements that. They really support the youth hockey.”

“One of our real aspirations for Faribault is that we can become an epicenter for hockey in Minnesota,” SSM Head of School Nick Stoneman said. “I don’t mean Shattuck-St. Mary’s, but Faribault hockey. We would love to see Faribault High School winning state championships. We know that is a long-term goal that starts with a 4-5 year old getting the start he or she needs to develop.”

Johannsen said the new facility would mean youth teams will now get three or four nights of skating each week, and teams won’t have to share ice during practices.

“It gives more ice to the younger skaters, giving them more time to be on their skates working on skills and development,” he said. “It allows us to schedule more ice without increasing the cost or charging more.”

Trevor Putrah, a Squirts coach, added that the smaller dimensions will be especially beneficial to the youngest participants.

“These kids don’t need as much space,” he said. “The key to these kids is ice time. The key to development is ice time. That’s what this really does, it allows incremental ice time to be given to the Faribault kids to keep up with South Metro and other teams they will compete against some day.”

The funding for the facility was made possible by the Putrah family, as well as numerous other SS-M alums. The Putrah family has long been involved in local hockey. Dale and Kathleen Putrah served on the FHA board, while their sons — Trevor, Tim and Rick — played in the association. Tim and Rick played at Faribault High School, while Trevor is a 1993 graduate of SS-M. Between the three brothers and sister Megan, they have 12 children who have played, or are playing, in the FHA.

“Between my family’s involvement with Faribault hockey and my phenomenal experience at Shattuck, it made sense,” Trevor Putrah said. “The fact is, we have the best program in North America, from a hockey standpoint, in our town. It’s Nick’s vision, and the school’s vision, to build this rink. It’s a combination of helping a school we’re very passionate about and believe in and giving back to the Faribault Hockey Association.”

“The Putrah family has had a long association with the school and Faribault,” Stoneman said. “They are equally as committed to this vision as Shattuck-St. Mary’s is. Trevor played a pivotal role in creating support for this.”

The completely-enclosed facility will be built south of the old ice arena on a set of tennis courts that have been used as a shooting gallery by SS-M players. Since the building will be constructed of steel, the school has worked closely with the City of Faribault to ensure it works aesthetically within the school’s architecture.

“I can’t overstate how helpful the city has been,” Stoneman said. “They have offered great counsel in developing this in a way that can be an asset to the school and the city.”

The rink, of course, will also aid in developing SS-M’s storied hockey program.

“It gives our student-athletes a chance to develop the creative side of the game,” Stoneman said. “(They can) try new things and not worry about whether it works or not and explore aspects of their game that they can bring to the team. This is a wonderful facility for them to do that.”

The rink will have four radius corners, meaning goals can be placed along all four walls. There is no checking allowed in the rink, and its smaller confines give players, both youth and high school, more touches on the puck.

“It’s a wonderful place to get lots of shots and the kids to get lots of ability to stick-handle, to work with their passing game and try some different moves,” Stoneman said.

The tenative schedule is to have the building ready by August or September, Stoneman said. A groundbreaking will be determined in conjuction with city leadership, he added.

— Sports editor Brendan Burnett-Kurie may be reached at 333-3129.