By J1 Reporter Anna Cacioppo

The local Grover Ice Rink, located at 6171 Grover Street, boasts a model employee who has been involved in the hockey world since he could walk. Alex Ertl, who started playing hockey at age 6, has been in the game for 20 years. After a competitive hockey career throughout his youth and high school life, he transitioned to working at the rink, refereeing games, and coaching a peewee house team.

Ertl’s interest in hockey began when his father took him to the University of Nebraska at Omaha Maverick hockey games every weekend as a child. “I pestered my parents after every UNO game to let me play hockey,” Ertl said. He played through his youth and high school years before joining an adult league, often called Beer League. “I played a little Beer League at 16 and 17, but I officially joined a team at 18,” Ertl said. He continues to play in the league, often skating a couple of times a week.

Ertl’s journey to working at the rink began when he showed up to meet a friend there and got drawn into the friendly hockey environment. The next day, he submitted an application. “I put in my application and started working right away,” Ertl said. He enjoys his time at the rink because the shared love of hockey brings people from all different backgrounds together. “The teams that play at the rink are all very tight-knit,” Ertl said. Through his work, he has made lifelong connections with people from around town.

Though his relationship with refereeing has been on and off, Ertl has decided to stick with it for the extra income. “Refereeing gives me good money while I work on my skating, so it’s a win-win,” Ertl said. The environment is often chaotic, with coaches, players, and parents yelling at him during games. “The players and coaches either love you or hate you,” Ertl said. Sometimes, the atmosphere becomes so heated that he has to eject someone. Despite this, he continues to enjoy refereeing and getting on the ice.

Ertl also coaches a peewee house hockey team, made up of 10- to 12-year-olds. “I’ve been coaching the Vipers since they were 8,” he said. He loves interacting with the players, offering tips during games and practices. “I love to watch them improve throughout the season,” Ertl said. He plans to coach them until they reach high school, then he’ll start again with a new group of 10-year-olds.

Ertl plans to continue his career in hockey for the foreseeable future. “I have no plans to change what I’m doing right now, but I have a few ideas,” he said. He enjoys the hockey community and all the benefits it brings, but there are a few drawbacks to working at the rink.

“I’m constantly asked to do things I would do if I was working, even when I’m not on the clock,” he said. Regardless, Ertl has had a largely positive experience in the hockey community and plans to remain involved for as long as he possibly can. Ertl proves that anything can be a career if you have enough passion for it. 

Alex Ertl on the Grover Ice Zamboni. Photo by Junior Anna Cacioppo.