Hockey rink named after longtime coach Jack P. MacDonald

Talkeetna ice hockey coach Jack Macdonald was in for a pleasant surprise at last Friday’s first home game when it was announced that the ice rink is going to be named after him and called the “Jack P. MacDonald ice arena.”MacDonald said that he is still overwhelmed and deeply honored by the dedication.

According to Talkeetna Youth Hockey Association treasurer Mary Farina, Su Valley Ram hockey player Patrick Fitzgerald and others came up with the idea to name the rink after MacDonald. MacDonald has been coaching ice hockey for 22 years. Fitzgerald approached Farina with the proposal right before Christmas and the hockey board approved the name change. The rink was called Talkeetna community ice rink before.

The Mat-Su borough school district still needs to sign off on the name change to make the dedication official.

On Thursday, the “Jack P MacDonald ice arena” is going to be the venue for a game against Tri-Valley. The Su Valley Rams hockey team then will travel to Glennallen for games on Friday and Saturday. Another home game is scheduled for next Wednesday when the Rams play Kenny Lake.

Press play below to listen to the hockey game that followed the name change dedication ceremony on Friday, January 14, 2011.  This coverage, provided by Doug Gualtieri and Chris Mannix, aired live on KTNA.

Player and Announcer Introductions:

[audio:https://ktna.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Player-and-Announcer-Intro.mp3|titles=Player and Announcer Intro]

National Anthem (parts sung by Chris Mannix and Doug Gualtieri)

[audio:https://ktna.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/National-Anthem-DandC.mp3|titles=National Anthem DandC]

Final Thoughts from Doug and Chris before Faceoff:

[audio:https://ktna.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Last-prep-from-Doug-And-Chris.mp3|titles=Last prep from Doug And Chris]

First Period:

[audio:https://ktna.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/SuV-first-period.mp3|titles=SuV first period]

Second Period:

[audio:https://ktna.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/SuV-Periodd-2.mp3|titles=SuV Periodd 2]

Third Period:

[audio:https://ktna.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/SuV-period-3.mp3|titles=SuV period 3]