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Oct. 11—BYRON, Minn. — Hockey players will soon have new ice to drop a puck and train in Byron.
Tim and Melissa Gerlesberger are teaming up with Eric and Rachel Petersen to open Nine Hockey in about a 15,000-square-foot space in Suite 600 of the Byron Towne Square center at 1067 Fourth St. NE. That's the spot Arrow Ace Hardware occupied from 2004 to 2015.
It is next to Stone Haven Apartments and across Fourth Street from Dollar Tree and Fareway Meat and Grocery.
They hope to have the new hockey center completed as soon as late January or early February with the action really taking off in the Spring of 2026. The Nine Hockey Name is inspired by the local youth hockey district and the Big 9 high school conference.
As longtime local coaches and players, Tim Gerlesberger and Eric Petersen saw a need for more places for hockey enthusiasts to play and train.
Nine Hockey will feature a "studio rink" that will be 130 feet long by 55 feet wide instead of a full-size rink. Tim Gerlesberger explained that players can play fast-paced three-on-three competitions on the studio rink as well as for training. He added that the smaller rink will use a smaller Zamboni machine to maintain the ice, which he thinks people will enjoy watching.
"With three-on-three, the scores get up in the 30s and the 40s. Kids have to make decisions so much quicker because it's a smaller area, so there's just tons of puck touches for them. It's really fun to watch super," he said. "The goalies are getting 100 shots a game. Every player is getting the puck on their stick more."
In addition to the studio rink, Nine Hockey will feature off-ice training areas as well as a pro shop with equipment and skate sharpening. They expect the facility to be staffed by a team that could include up to eight people.
The plan is to offer training camps in June, July and August staffed by local hockey players and coaches. The format will be flexible to allow for drop-ins for classes focusing on specific skills.
"You won't be locked down for a whole week of a camp. If you want to skate once a week or if you want to skate five times, you will have that opportunity," said Gerlesberger.
As longtime coaches and best friends since kindergarten, Gerlesberg and Petersen really want to share the sport that they love so much.
"We're so excited. We can't wait to get to know each and every kid. Eric and I have the same coaching philosophy and it's all about the kids. If they're not having fun, we're not doing our job," said Gerlesberg.
Continue reading...
Tim and Melissa Gerlesberger are teaming up with Eric and Rachel Petersen to open Nine Hockey in about a 15,000-square-foot space in Suite 600 of the Byron Towne Square center at 1067 Fourth St. NE. That's the spot Arrow Ace Hardware occupied from 2004 to 2015.
It is next to Stone Haven Apartments and across Fourth Street from Dollar Tree and Fareway Meat and Grocery.
They hope to have the new hockey center completed as soon as late January or early February with the action really taking off in the Spring of 2026. The Nine Hockey Name is inspired by the local youth hockey district and the Big 9 high school conference.
As longtime local coaches and players, Tim Gerlesberger and Eric Petersen saw a need for more places for hockey enthusiasts to play and train.
Nine Hockey will feature a "studio rink" that will be 130 feet long by 55 feet wide instead of a full-size rink. Tim Gerlesberger explained that players can play fast-paced three-on-three competitions on the studio rink as well as for training. He added that the smaller rink will use a smaller Zamboni machine to maintain the ice, which he thinks people will enjoy watching.
"With three-on-three, the scores get up in the 30s and the 40s. Kids have to make decisions so much quicker because it's a smaller area, so there's just tons of puck touches for them. It's really fun to watch super," he said. "The goalies are getting 100 shots a game. Every player is getting the puck on their stick more."
In addition to the studio rink, Nine Hockey will feature off-ice training areas as well as a pro shop with equipment and skate sharpening. They expect the facility to be staffed by a team that could include up to eight people.
The plan is to offer training camps in June, July and August staffed by local hockey players and coaches. The format will be flexible to allow for drop-ins for classes focusing on specific skills.
"You won't be locked down for a whole week of a camp. If you want to skate once a week or if you want to skate five times, you will have that opportunity," said Gerlesberger.
As longtime coaches and best friends since kindergarten, Gerlesberg and Petersen really want to share the sport that they love so much.
"We're so excited. We can't wait to get to know each and every kid. Eric and I have the same coaching philosophy and it's all about the kids. If they're not having fun, we're not doing our job," said Gerlesberg.
Continue reading...
