2026 Recap
- Wildfire on Ice
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
15th Annual Wildfire on Ice Recap
The annual Wildfire on Ice Hockey Tournament and Curling Bonspiel was held in Walker, MN on January 16th & 17th. The event raised over $30,000 to benefit the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Over 200 firefighters and family members braved northern Minnesota’s sub-zero temperatures to make the event a huge success.
Fifteen years ago, the event started as a small pickup hockey game amongst wildland firefighters—a chance to get together in the winter off-season and share some camaraderie. The first two years were in the Grand Rapids (MN) area with a small fundraising effort. In 2014 the event moved to Walker, MN and built on local relationships to substantially increase festivities and fundraising.
The funds raised go to support the Wildland Firefighter Foundation (WFF), a 501c3 non-profit organization based in Boise, ID. When firefighters are injured or killed in the line of duty, the Foundation can provide efficient financial and emotional support to firefighters and families that insurance and worker’s compensation can’t provide. The Foundation supports firefighters who work for state, tribal, federal, private, and volunteer/paid fire departments. When you hear about wildfire-related injuries and fatalities anywhere in the country, you can bet the Foundation is supporting the firefighters and families. That includes local support for firefighters right here in Minnesota and firefighters working out of the country (Australia and Canada for example). To learn more about this caring organization please visit: www.wffoundation.org
For the second year in a row the hockey team representing the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources won the championship by defeating the Department of Interior with a score of 3-0. Team MN DNR is captained by Mark McDonald and Bill Alleman.
The Hockey Tournament MVP was awarded to Tucker Hell from Littlefork, MN. Tucker scored multiple goals and assists for Team DNR. Wayne Brininger from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Tamarac NWR), was awarded the “AARP Senior Award” for his performance in the hockey tournament, taking his team to the championship match.
The Curling Bonspiel title was captured by the Rockstars, a team from Walker, MN that has been participating in the bonspiel since its inception. The Rockstars narrowly edged out the Ice Holes from Walker/Cold Spring/East Bethel to capture the bonspiel title and the coveted Bonnie Trophy! Team members include (Rob Schneider, Darin Kowalke, Darren Buckentin, Scott Splichal).
The 16th Annual Wildfire on Ice will be in Walker in 2027! The dates will be January 15th-16th at the WACC. If you are interested in supporting the event, please let us know. Find us on Facebook and www.wildfireonice.com
2026 Hockey Champs: MN Department of Natural Resources
2026 Bonspiel Champs: The Rockstars (Rob Schneider, Darin Kowalke, Darren Buckentin, Scott Splichal).
2026 Hockey MVP Tucker Hell sporting the “Green Jacket” and 2025 MVP Tyler Hasbargen.
2026 AARP award winner Wayne Brininger received the cane from 2025 winner Dan Ramsey.