COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho -- In the northwest crevice of Idaho, among swaths of national forests and lakes encircled by lanky pine trees, there is only one indoor hockey rink. Until 2008, it was called the Kyro Ice Facilty and was located in the resort town of Coeur d'Alene. The next closest NHL regulation-size arena was 45 minutes away, in Spokane, Washington. Then a harsh winter hit: 100 inches of snow, followed by a full week of rain. The roof of the Kootenai Youth Recreation Organization's rink collapsed in late December 2008. It closed for nearly four years.
"My two nephews used to play hockey," says Jill Smith.