Adam Calkins is bringing his passion for hockey to Kemmerer’s youth, reviving a tradition that dates back to the 1990s.

“The Kemmerer Kodiaks were a club back in the ‘90s,” Calkins explained.

Now, the Kodiak spirit is alive again under the banner of the Kemmerer Kodiak Hockey Group, a club that has grown to include over 40 children, including Calkins’ own children, 11-year-old Beth and 8-year-old Graham.

The journey began last year when Calkins sought support from the Kemmerer City Council to build an ice rink. Since then, the club has received an outpouring of community assistance, with parents volunteering and co-ed participation growing steadily. Despite the enthusiasm, funding remains a challenge. The city approved Trista Gordon, Director of the Kemmerer Recreation Center, to apply for a Lincoln County Recreation Commission Grant to help secure hockey equipment and, ideally, build a permanent rink.

Gordon said, “The end goal is for the hockey program to run through the Kemmerer Recreation Center similar to our Junior Rangers Football, Junior Jazz Basketball and indoor soccer.” She added that the recreation department has been working with Calkins since last fall in getting the hockey program going while keeping in mind cost restraints and liability issues. “We are confident and excited for the 2025-2026 hockey season” she said.

This season, the club initially played at Archie Neil Park, thanks to a rink provided by the city. However, warm weather during Christmas week led to melting and compromised ice quality.

“That caused a lot of impact to the ice rink,” Calkins said, noting that skaters returning to the rink before it had fully re-frozen and worsened the damage. Despite the setback, Calkins emphasized that no one was to blame. “We have learned a lot of things this year that we didn’t know before and we are taking steps to improve so it is better next year,” he said.

Gordon reiterated what Calkins said and added, “A shout out needs to be put out there for the Kemmerer Parks Department. They were able to get the rink up and going fast and while there were originally issues with warming weather, they have worked hard to upkeep the rink.”

Gordon said Mother Nature wreaked havoc on many outdoor rinks across the state, and echoed Calkins sentiments about lessons learned this year when it comes to maintaining an ice rink.

She said, “The City is proud of our staff doing this with very little lead time.”

Undeterred, the club relocated to the rink in Diamondville. The city is also considering other potential locations for a more permanent rink.

The Kemmerer Kodiak Hockey Group currently runs three age groups: second and third graders, fourth through sixth graders, and seventh through twelfth graders. Calkins volunteers his time to coach three nights a week and is supported by other parent volunteers. “I have been coaching three nights a week and there have been parents volunteering to help coach,” Calkins said.

Looking ahead, Calkins hopes the program will continue to grow. “I hope next year we have enough participation where we can have teams,” he shared. His ultimate goal is for the club to become an affiliated hockey program.

Calkins expressed deep gratitude for the city’s and community’s support. “I’m grateful to the city of Kemmerer for taking the time and effort to support the hockey group this year,” he said, also acknowledging the positive feedback from parents.

With community backing and lessons learned from this season, the Kemmerer Kodiaks are poised for even greater success in the coming years.