In Warroad, hockey is more than a sport.
It’s part of how people grow up. It’s part of how the community connects. And for many kids, it’s where they find a sense of belonging.
But not every child arrives with skates on their feet.
For families new to the community, or those who didn’t grow up around hockey, stepping onto the ice can feel out of reach. Equipment, experience, and confidence can all stand in the way.
“Not every kid grows up playing hockey in Warroad, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have the opportunity. This program gives them a place to start, and that’s why the new youth hockey initiative is making a difference,” said Bethany Wesley, Senior Vice President of Advancement, NMF.
Opening the door to the ice
Supported through community funding, the LifeCare Health Care Fund provided $2,000 to Warroad’s entry-level skating program.
It starts with something simple: learning to skate.
Kids who have never been on the ice before are given the chance to try. No expectations. No pressure to already know the game. Just space to learn.
“Our initial registration numbers exceeded our expectations, and we had 35 kids register for this first session,” said Ben Bengtson, Warroad Youth Hockey Board Member. “That really showed us there was a need and an interest.”
In a town where hockey runs deep, creating that entry point matters.
A full-circle moment
One of the most meaningful parts of the program is who is leading it.
“I think one cool aspect of this program is that our lead instructor, Julie Knox, is seeing full circle the work she has done with kids learning to skate in our community,” Bengtson said.
Knox taught skating in Warroad years ago. Now, she is back on the ice, helping to teach the next generation, including the children of former students.
“She helped teach power skating courses when I was a kid,” Bengtson said. “Now she is back helping teach the next generation, including one of my kids and even members of her own family.”
That continuity reflects something deeper about Warroad.
Hockey isn’t just passed down as a skill. It’s passed down as part of the community itself.
More than learning a sport
On the ice, kids are learning the basics.
How to balance. How to move. How to fall and get back up.
But what happens off the ice matters just as much.
For some kids, this is their first time stepping into something that feels like a shared part of the community. It’s a chance to build confidence, form friendships, and feel like they belong.
“You can see the difference as they get more comfortable,” Bengtson said. “They start to build confidence, and that carries beyond the ice.”
A community investment
Programs like this are made possible through local support and investment.
Through its grantmaking, the LifeCare Health Care Fund helps fund initiatives that strengthen the health and well-being of the community. In the last year, they have provided over $100,000 to local communities. This program is one example of how that support shows up in real ways for local families.
It’s not just about hockey. It’s about access.
With strong participation in its first session, the program is already looking to the future.
“We plan to offer it again this spring and then again in fall 2026,” Bengtson said. “Our goal is to continue to expand and potentially offer additional courses as our young skaters advance their skills.”
In Warroad, hockey will always be part of the story.
The difference now is that more kids have the chance to be part of it.
