Thank an Ice Tech Week: celebrating the unsung heroes of curling

What started as a part-time job in high school for Mike Merklinger has turned into a fulfilling career making ice for the top curling events in the country.

Growing up in Ottawa, Ont., Merklinger recalls spending a lot of time at the curling rink both as a young competitive curler and helping his father Dave Merklinger, a renowned ice maker who began his career in 1974 and lent his expertise to major events both at home and abroad.

“I just learned a lot from following him around and paying attention, picking up as much as I could. I worked at events with him when I was young as a volunteer just trying to learn,” says Merklinger.

After moving to B.C. in his 20s, Merklinger became more serious about working as an Ice Technician and has now been doing it as a full-time career for many years.

“I stayed involved with the game that I grew up loving and I just love making ice right now for competitive curlers playing in the Scotties, the Brier, and at that high level.”

He’s also been fortunate to continue to work with his dad, who worked his last championship event in 2023 but continues to be the ice maker at the Vernon Curling Club.

“As I got older, I had the chance to work with him directly at some Curling Canada events. We get along well working but ice makers can be very particular and always disagree on some things!”

Merklinger is now giving back to the sport he loves by inspiring other up and coming Ice Technicians through teaching courses and training programs.

“Mike has an exceptionally high ice making IQ, with a deep understanding of what it takes to deliver top-quality ice conditions,” says Dustin Mikush, Curling Canada’s Manager of Youth Development & Programming.

“He is a key member of Curling Canada’s Ice Technician Training Program team, and we appreciate him for his commitment to giving back to our sport by mentoring and supporting the next generation of Ice Technicians.”

Thank an Ice Tech Week

For the third year in a row, Curling Canada will host two upcoming virtual Iceside Chats, as part of Thank an Ice Tech Week, taking place Jan. 11 – 17, 2026.

The English chat, featuring Greg Ewasko, Mike Merklinger and Rebecca Duck, will be held Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. ET. The French chat, with Alexandre Gallant, Neil Gargul and Stéphane Delisle, will be held Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. ET.

Both chats will cover technical skill such as scraping, pebbling, temperature control and stones as well as best practices. Participants will also have a chance to answer questions from attendees live.

“I think the best part for me are the questions that we get. We try to answer as many as we can and give as much of our knowledge as we can,” says Merklinger.

“Thank an Ice Tech Week is about appreciating the people who create curling experiences day in and day out,” says Greg Ewasko, Curling Canada’s Chief Ice Technician. “Ice Technicians like Mike are key to helping grow the game at all levels.”

As well as passing on knowledge, Mikush says Thank an Ice Tech Week is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the hardworking Ice Techs across the country that work tirelessly morning through night to create exceptional ice.

“Ice Technicians are dedicated and talented professionals who play a vital role in shaping the curling community and system,” says Mikush.

“At the heart of these roles who make each youth program, league or championship game happen each season are the valued Ice Technicians. Throughout Thank an Ice Tech Week, we celebrate the unsung heroes behind the scenes of every curling centre who make our sport possible. We encourage everyone to take a moment to thank their Ice Technician.”

Lifelong learning as an Ice Technician

This season, Merklinger started supporting Curling Canada’s Ice Technician Training Program, which involves offering both webinars and in-person courses to Ice Techs looking to perfect their ice making skills. This could include Ice Techs working at the club level or those who want to take the next step and make ice in arenas or at championship events.

“I just enjoy teaching and it’s nice when you have somebody that wants to learn. You’ve got to get the right people doing it that are really interested and want to become great ice makers,” says Merklinger.

He says the No. 1 piece of advice he gives about being an Ice Tech is to always keep learning.

“Even when you’re making ice at the highest level, like myself and Greg Ewasko from Curling Canada, you’re always learning every time you do an event, no matter how much you know.”

He adds that ice making is not something you can learn overnight. With many variables affecting ice conditions – from outdoor temperatures to frost on the ice to spectators in the stands – Ice Techs spend years building their knowledge to become experts at their craft.

“It’s just making the best possible ice for the athletes that we can,” says Merklinger. “Curlers want the best conditions, and we just try to give it to them every time and do it consistently.”

Merklinger is gearing up to bring his expertise to the Scotties in Mississauga Jan. 23 – Feb. 1 and the BKT World Women’s Championship in Calgary March 14 – 22 and says even with many top events under his belt, he still gets excited about each one.

“There’s a bit of a rush from it …  it’s unique and I feel like I’m good at my job and I enjoy it. I just want to keep doing that.”

Are you an Ice Technician interested in perfecting your craft? Register for the English virtual Iceside Chat taking place Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. ET here and the French virtual Iceside Chat taking place Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. ET here. All participants must be a member of a Canadian affiliated provincial/territorial curling centre and must register at least 24 hours in advance.