Rockford Park District’s lasting impact on the local hockey community

A mundane Tuesday night in the Rockford area is contrasted with the energy inside the Riverview Ice House. Sounds of sticks clanking onto the ice, coaches shouting, and athlete’s cheers echoing may overwhelm some people. But to those who’ve spent their lives inside Rockford’s hockey rinks, it sounds like home.

The Rockford Park District’s coaching staff share their passion for the game with young athletes and are a beam of light in the Rockford community.

Rockford Park District hockey training starts early. Children can begin in the “Learn-To-Skate” program, later learning the rules of hockey in “Dekes-N-Dangles”. If kids want to continue, the Park District has Junior IceHogs. The seasonal in-house hockey league allows athletes to play semi-competitive games against other equally skilled players.

What many people may not know is most of the instructors have been friends since childhood, played on teams together, and began their hockey careers in Rockford Park District’s many hockey programs.

Three current instructors grew up together immersed in Rockford’s hockey community. They chose to return to the place they’d begun their hockey careers. Peter White, Jacob Pifer, and Nathan McCown began playing at the Park District as young as three years old. They joined the Junior IceHogs league, later participating in club hockey.

Growing up together formed a close bond between the boys that is stronger than ever. Each of the boys recalls their favorite memories as young hockey players. Junior IceHogs leagues are the overwhelming favorite between them. Nathan enjoyed being able to play with friends in a familiar rink.

“I loved playing spring hockey with the Junior IceHogs with friends after club season. It was always super fun to be with everyone,” Nathan said.

All three were encouraged to apply to the Park District by former coach Oak Hewer.

“I was taking my brother to hockey practice, and my old coach, Oak, asked if I wanted a job. I accepted it.”

Oak coached the boys through their Junior IceHogs and club hockey teams. They have
nothing but kind words about him.

Jacob said, “Oak is an excellent mentor and coach on and off the ice.”

In his three years with the Park District, Peter says his favorite programs are weeklong camps.

“They’re Monday through Friday. We run drills Monday through Thursday. Fridays are game days for kids to have fun. There are holiday, spring, and summer camps,” Peter explained.

On the other hand, Jacob enjoys working in the off-ice training facility.

“I loved being there when I played because I had the opportunity to focus on my shooting. I enjoy it as an instructor because I can implement my own drills and get to know the kids,” Jacob said.

That same mundane Tuesday night in the Rockford area is contrasted with the excitement from instructors and athletes inside the Riverview Ice House. Ice is divided into four corners, each a differently organized station. Players complete tasks in groups, against one another and as a team while receiving critiques and jokes from instructors.

Supervisors patrol the ice making sure everyone is performing the drills properly, simultaneously messing with the players to make them smile. Everyone on the ice gets some attention.

Peter, Jacob, and Nathan work together multiple times a week, running drills for athletes to practice. Each of the instructors is grateful to be accompanied by close friends at work. They say it doesn’t feel like a regular job.

Peter adds, that working with his friends creates a strong dynamic between them and the athletes they teach.

“It feels like it’s not a job because you’re working with your close friends and doing something you love, like hockey. You’re working together to help kids learn to play the sport you love,” Peter said.

Jacob and Nathan agree. They say it makes their work environment comfortable and exciting because they know they’ll be working together.

Oak Hewer is not only their former coach, he’s now their supervisor. Being able to work closely with an old coach who’s become a lifelong mentor and friend is something they are incessantly thankful for.

Despite building a relationship with a former coach, Oak still holds them accountable.

Jacob said, “He keeps everyone in check, but it’s nice to have a sort of pressure lifted off
of you at work because he knows you on and off the ice.”

Peter explains there’s genuine comfort and connection between each of them because of their pasts with Oak.

“Having him as a supervisor is fun because when you have someone as a coach, they have to be professional and serious. But when you work with them, you become more comfortable with one another, and you learn more about them,” Peter said. “Since we’re older, we’ve matured enough to help create better relationships with them.”

This full-circle moment for the guys is just as important to Oak.

“It has always been a joy to coach these guys,” Oak said. “Both as players and staff members, they are all very coachable. They bring great qualities to the rink every day. Hardworking team players who genuinely care about the people around them. I feel blessed to get to work with people like this every day.”

The Rockford Park District’s hockey department has formed special bonds between
players, parents, and coaches.

Jacob explained, “The workers have grown up going to their hockey programs. Now they know and can spread their knowledge of hockey and its culture.”

According to Nathan, the tight-knit community is due in part to the coaches and instructors who make it their mission to help players flourish.

“All of the coaches and instructors have been around the Park District for a long time, and they love to watch the kids succeed in what they do. All we want to do is help the kids develop as much as possible.”

Peter says the Rockford Park District has implemented certain aspects of hockey culture that benefit the athletes and their instructors on and off the ice. He’s also passionate about the Park District’s impact on Rockford.

“Every program is open to everyone,” Peter said. “We’re trying to spread not just hockey skills but important life skills. Not just drills on the ice but the importance of listening, empathy, and teamwork. The Park District is doing good for the community by allowing kids who may not have an idea of what sports to play to experience many different things. They also have lots of ways to help people play for free, which is another important thing, especially with how expensive many sports can be.”

Each of the boys encourages young athletes to try a sport with the Rockford Park District’s many different programs located across the city of Rockford.

Nathan said, “We have great staff and community that’ll help you feel comfortable and help you find a sport to fall in love with.”

Oak urges athletes to give hockey a try.

“Come on out,” Oak said. “The first day is on us. We will help set you up for success. We know you will fall in love with the game like we all have.”