Our MHL Story
New Rink at Hoover Ridge Park Completed in 2026
The story of Madison Hockey is really the story of a community. It is a story of volunteers, families, players, sponsors, and fans who believed that hockey belonged in Madison County and worked together to make it happen.
The Madison Hockey League (MHL) was founded in 1995 by Chris Artale and his brother Jack with a simple goal: create an opportunity for local youth to play hockey. What began with just 45 players on five teams in a single age division for 8 to 15 year olds has grown into a thriving organization that has introduced generations of Madison County families to the sport.
In those early years, hockey in Madison was built on determination and creativity. Games were played on asphalt at the old Madison County tennis courts. Every fall, the tennis nets were removed and the post holes plugged so hockey season could begin. The rink boards were made from chicken wire on three sides and a cinder block retaining wall on the fourth. The players' bench was the top of that wall, and coaches often had to lift younger players up so they could take their place during games. When spring arrived, hockey gave way to tennis once again as the nets were reinstalled.
As interest in the league grew, so did the dream. In 1997, MHL designed and built its first set of dasher boards at Madison County High School. The semi-portable rink could be assembled each fall and carefully stored during the summer. That same year, MHL launched its first summer league, giving players even more opportunities to compete and improve.
The late 1990s and early 2000s marked a period of exciting growth. Lights were added in 1999, making weeknight practices and Friday night games possible. In 2000, the league installed its first remote-controlled scoreboard. The addition of an Instructional League in 2002 welcomed three new teams and 19 new players, expanding access to the sport and strengthening the hockey community.
In 2006, the rink took another major step forward with the installation of permanent dasher boards and netting. Over the years that followed, volunteers and supporters continued improving the facility with new player benches, upgraded lighting, an equipment building, a scorekeeper's booth, and improvements to the beloved Rinky Dink Café concession stand.
Then came one of the greatest challenges in the rink's history. Around 2012, a brush fire severely damaged the facility. What could have been the end of Madison Hockey instead became one of its proudest moments. Volunteers, families, and supporters rallied together to rebuild. The rink was repaired, expanded, and outfitted with a new sport court surface. In recognition of the resilience that brought the rink back to life, MHL's travel teams adopted the name Wildfires.
Madison Hockey continued to evolve and expand. In 2023, the league introduced its adult division, Friday Night Lights, which quickly became a favorite among local players and continues to grow every year. That same season, play-by-play announcing was added to games, creating an even more exciting atmosphere for players, families, and fans.
In 2024, tragedy struck once again when another devastating wildfire caused severe damage to the rink. Once more, the Madison Hockey community responded the only way it knew how, by coming together. The same spirit that built the league carried it through another difficult chapter. Amid the rebuilding effort came a moment of celebration when the 2025 Middle School Wildfires captured the CIHL Championship, proving that the program's future remained bright.
Through every challenge, every improvement, and every season, one thing has never changed: the unwavering support of the Madison community. From the players on the rink to the families in the stands, from the volunteers who built boards and repaired damage to the sponsors who provided financial support, every person has played a role in the success of Madison Hockey.
Today, the new rink at Hoover Ridge Park stands as a symbol of that dedication. It represents more than thirty years of hard work, perseverance, and community pride. It is more than a hockey rink. It is a gathering place, a training ground, a source of memories, and a home for future generations of Madison Hockey players.
This rink belongs to everyone who has been part of the Madison Hockey story. It stands as a reminder that when a community comes together with passion, determination, and a shared purpose, extraordinary things can happen. Madison Hockey's greatest victories have never been measured by scores or championships, but by the people who made this dream possible.
The Madison Hockey League (MHL) was founded in 1995 by Chris Artale and his brother Jack with a simple goal: create an opportunity for local youth to play hockey. What began with just 45 players on five teams in a single age division for 8 to 15 year olds has grown into a thriving organization that has introduced generations of Madison County families to the sport.
In those early years, hockey in Madison was built on determination and creativity. Games were played on asphalt at the old Madison County tennis courts. Every fall, the tennis nets were removed and the post holes plugged so hockey season could begin. The rink boards were made from chicken wire on three sides and a cinder block retaining wall on the fourth. The players' bench was the top of that wall, and coaches often had to lift younger players up so they could take their place during games. When spring arrived, hockey gave way to tennis once again as the nets were reinstalled.
As interest in the league grew, so did the dream. In 1997, MHL designed and built its first set of dasher boards at Madison County High School. The semi-portable rink could be assembled each fall and carefully stored during the summer. That same year, MHL launched its first summer league, giving players even more opportunities to compete and improve.
The late 1990s and early 2000s marked a period of exciting growth. Lights were added in 1999, making weeknight practices and Friday night games possible. In 2000, the league installed its first remote-controlled scoreboard. The addition of an Instructional League in 2002 welcomed three new teams and 19 new players, expanding access to the sport and strengthening the hockey community.
In 2006, the rink took another major step forward with the installation of permanent dasher boards and netting. Over the years that followed, volunteers and supporters continued improving the facility with new player benches, upgraded lighting, an equipment building, a scorekeeper's booth, and improvements to the beloved Rinky Dink Café concession stand.
Then came one of the greatest challenges in the rink's history. Around 2012, a brush fire severely damaged the facility. What could have been the end of Madison Hockey instead became one of its proudest moments. Volunteers, families, and supporters rallied together to rebuild. The rink was repaired, expanded, and outfitted with a new sport court surface. In recognition of the resilience that brought the rink back to life, MHL's travel teams adopted the name Wildfires.
Madison Hockey continued to evolve and expand. In 2023, the league introduced its adult division, Friday Night Lights, which quickly became a favorite among local players and continues to grow every year. That same season, play-by-play announcing was added to games, creating an even more exciting atmosphere for players, families, and fans.
In 2024, tragedy struck once again when another devastating wildfire caused severe damage to the rink. Once more, the Madison Hockey community responded the only way it knew how, by coming together. The same spirit that built the league carried it through another difficult chapter. Amid the rebuilding effort came a moment of celebration when the 2025 Middle School Wildfires captured the CIHL Championship, proving that the program's future remained bright.
Through every challenge, every improvement, and every season, one thing has never changed: the unwavering support of the Madison community. From the players on the rink to the families in the stands, from the volunteers who built boards and repaired damage to the sponsors who provided financial support, every person has played a role in the success of Madison Hockey.
Today, the new rink at Hoover Ridge Park stands as a symbol of that dedication. It represents more than thirty years of hard work, perseverance, and community pride. It is more than a hockey rink. It is a gathering place, a training ground, a source of memories, and a home for future generations of Madison Hockey players.
This rink belongs to everyone who has been part of the Madison Hockey story. It stands as a reminder that when a community comes together with passion, determination, and a shared purpose, extraordinary things can happen. Madison Hockey's greatest victories have never been measured by scores or championships, but by the people who made this dream possible.
Rink Fire Damage from 2024
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New Rink Construction Photos from 2025-2026