Early Ice - Ice Making Process

There has been interest in putting in the ice at Andrist Arena earlier for the 2025-26 season. In order to do this, we need volunteers to help and learn the process. If we are able to fill the volunteer slots by September 26, 2025, we will be able to start the Ice Plant on October 1, 2025. If volunteer slots are not filled, starting the Ice Plant will be delayed either until we find enough volunteers or November 1, 2025. The building’s electricity demand charge is triggered, for the month, the day the Ice Plant is turned on, so it makes the most sense to turn the Ice Plant on the first of the month. The Crosby Blue Line Club needs volunteers to step up and help our club. Please don’t assume that jobs will be taken care of or that those who have done something in the past will be available. Older players or teams are encouraged to help. Please contact Lee 701-648-9976 or cometsblc@gmail.com to claim a slot or if you would like to make a monetary donation for the added cost of early ice.   

1.  Prior Ice Plant to starting

Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3

 - inspect and make any repairs to hockey boards 

 - clean floor 

 - bolt Zam door threshold to floor 

2. Day 1-Start Ice Plant

Day 2 & 3-Building Ice Base

Day 1-Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3 Volunteer #4

When floor temp is below 32* (takes approx 24hrs to cool) apply 3-4 sprays each spray 6hrs apart.In all cases of spraying or flooding, previous one must be froze.  Follow with 2-3 light floods about 8hrs apart.

Day 2 AM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3 Volunteer #4

Day 2 PM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3 Volunteer #4

Day 3 AM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3 Volunteer #4

Day 3 PM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3 Volunteer #4

3. Day 4 or 5-Apply white paint to ice - Floor needs to be under 20* (colder is better) this may 

           take up to 24hrs after base. White ice paint is a powder that is mixed with water and sprayed 

           on with 3-4 coats needed. Paint is then sealed with 2-3 sprays of water. This takes about 7  

           people about 4hrs for white and seal coats. 

Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3 Volunteer #4 Volunteer#5 Volunteer#6 Volunteer #7 Volunteer#8

4. Day 6-Paint lines and lay down ice logos Prior to starting to paint lines need 4-5 people to 

           mark and lay out lines, face off circles etc. Need 20 plus people for about 3-4 hrs to paint 

           lines and lay down logos. 

Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3 Volunteer #4 Volunteer#5 Volunteer#6 Volunteer #7 Volunteer#8 Volunteer #9 Volunteer#10 Volunteer#11 Volunteer #12 Volunteer#13 Volunteer#14     Volunteer #15 Volunteer#16 Volunteer #17 Volunteer#18 Volunteer#19     Volunteer #20

5. Day 7&8-Seal lines and Logos - Need 6-8 light sprays followed by 2-3 light floods. This seal     

           process takes about 2 days and a minimum of 3 people for each seal coat.

Day 7 AM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3 Volunteer #4

Day 7 PM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3 Volunteer #4

Day 8 AM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3 Volunteer #4

Day 8 PM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3 Volunteer #4

6. Day 9-12-Ice build up - Need about 1 1/2 inches of ice over paint and logos, this takes about 

           10-12 floods Heavy floods about 12hrs apart. Need 2 people for each flood. These floods 

           take about one hour. 

Day 9 AM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3

Day 9 PM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3

Day 10 AM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3

Day 10 PM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3

Day 11 AM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3

Day 11 PM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3

Day 12 AM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3

Day 12 PM Volunteer #1 Volunteer#2 Volunteer#3

FROM START TO FINISH ICE MAKING TAKES 10-12 DAYS. TIMING IS APPROXIMATE.  

CAN DO MORE THAN 2 FLOODS PER DAY DEPENDING ON MANPOWER.

Registration for the 2025-26 Crosby Comets Hockey Season is still open.

Registrations made after October 1, 2025 will incur a $100/player late fee.

Registration is a two-step process:

1. Go to www.usahockey.com and register your player for the 2025-2026 season and get the USA Hockey confirmation number.
2. Go to www.crosbycomets.com, click the blue registration box in the right hand corner of the screen, then Learn More, then Register and use the USA Hockey confirmation number to register for the local club. If a first year player the discount code is “first year”.

Coaches are also needed at all levels. If you have questions, please contact Kurt Kocher 701-641-9901 or Lee Svangstu 701-648-9976.