River Blades Skating School Owner/Director featured on Hastings Civic Arena Mural
Exciting News from the Hastings Civic Arena!
Have you seen the brand-new mural on the west side of the Hastings Civic Arena, facing Highway 61? Designed by Lili Lennox and Niko Alexander, this colorful artwork celebrates Hastings’ rich history and love for hockey — from iconic landmarks like the Big Blue Bridge to standout local athletes, including our very own Amanda Truax! Commissioned by the Hastings Arts and Culture Commission, the mural is a vibrant welcome to visitors and residents alike, highlighting teamwork, resilience, and community pride.
📸 Stop by for a photo and be sure to tag River Blades Skating School & use the hashtags #RiverBladesSkatingSchool and #RiverBladesSkating — we would love to see all our skaters enjoying the mural. Get creative with your skating poses!
Keep an eye out for the upcoming ribbon-cutting and dedication event — it’s a must-see for any hockey and figure skating fans! 🏒⛸️
Amanda Truax: Celebrating a Legacy on Ice, a local professional skater and the owner/director of River Blades Skating School, which is housed at the Hastings Civic Arena, is celebrating 20 years of inspiring generations of skaters. The skating school, founded in 2005, has become a cornerstone of the Hastings community, training thousands of skaters locally and helping them achieve their dreams both on and off the ice.
River Blades Skating School and Amanda will be celebrating their 20th Anniversary during two large events this season. The 20th Anniversary Skate with Santa Event & Show will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6:00 pm, where River Blades skaters will perform to favorite holiday tunes, with proceeds benefiting the Hastings Family Service Community Foodshelf. Their 20th Anniversary celebration “Dreaming of Disney” Spring Ice Show will take place on Saturday, March 7 at 7:00 pm.
The new mural going up at the Hastings Civic Arena has brought a bright, bold addition to the community. While the artwork celebrates Hastings’ rich hockey tradition, it also honors figure skating, featuring Amanda among other athletes whose careers were shaped on this ice. Hockey and figure skating have both been part of the arena for nearly 50 years, and Amanda is proud to see both sports recognized in her hometown.
The mural’s artist asked Amanda to provide a photo in her competition dress from her final amateur solo skating competition before turning professional. That custom-made dress, a cherished gift from her mother, was worn at the State Championships where she placed first in one of her last amateur competitions. Amanda skated her senior year solo to Wind Beneath My Wings at her final ice show — a memory she treasures.
Truax History-Amanda first stepped onto the Hastings Civic Arena ice in 1976. From recreational skater to competitor, and later as founder of River Blades, she has spent decades helping generations of skaters discover their passion. River Blades has trained thousands of skaters in Hastings and surrounding areas, producing champions both on and off the ice. Amanda has taught lessons to skaters preparing for local, state, and national competitions, hockey players from mites to college hockey, and aspiring NHL players.
Amanda’s early training included dance at Jan’s School of Dance, founded by Jan Tripp. Amanda studied Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Gymnastics, and Jan gave her the opportunity to work with younger students, teaching dancers as early as 15 years old. Amanda continued teaching through her early twenties while preparing for her professional career. Her dedication and talent as a dancer were evident in hundreds of competitions, culminating in earning the Rhee Gold Female Dancer of the Year in Minnesota, which earned her a spot at the National Championships in Orlando. She was also selected out of 500 dancers to perform on the moving central stage at Super Bowl XXVI at the Metrodome in Minnesota, and performed during the opening ceremonies of the 1991 Special Olympics at the Metrodome. Jan Tripp’s mentorship and Amanda’s dance training laid a strong foundation for the artistry and performance skills that would carry her into professional skating.
Earlier in her career, Amanda also performed with the Electric Stars, the Minnesota North Stars’ only official NHL dance team, in 1992, the year the team moved to Dallas. She was recognized as Most Valuable Performer at their final banquet — an experience that gave her confidence and fueled her dream of performing professionally on the ice.
Amanda’s professional skating career took her across the globe performing with Disney on Ice from 1997 to 2005. While on tour, she taught edge and ballet classes to the entire cast weekly and served as ladies’ line captain, teaching choreography to new hires, helping cast members step into lead roles when needed, and assisting with auditions in every city they visited. Thousands of bright-eyed skaters dreamed of performing professionally, and Amanda’s time with Disney on Ice was a magical experience she continues to share with students in Hastings.
Amanda also worked with Stars on Ice as the youth performance coordinator, teaching choreography and leading rehearsals for the youth performers during the St. Paul performance at the Xcel Center. This experience sparked a new joy for many skaters, creating lasting friendships, camaraderie, and excitement as they skated alongside Olympic, National, and International champions.
Amanda also worked with US Figure Skating, where she had the honor of choreographing the youth performance for the 2016 US National Championship Smucker’s Skating Spectacular. This opportunity allowed Amanda to share her expertise with young skaters on a national stage, helping them develop performance skills, confidence, and teamwork. She is deeply grateful to US Figure Skating for giving youth skaters such incredible opportunities to showcase their talents and experience the thrill of performing at a top-level event.
Amanda also helped organize “Skate with the Stars of Disney on Ice” in collaboration with the Disney on Ice talent coordinator. During these events, performers who were in town for a Disney on Ice show would come out as a group to teach steps, edge work, and skating skills to local youth. The events were covered by local news networks, celebrating Disney on Ice’s community outreach and inspiring young skaters. Amanda coordinated these events for several years, working alongside her former Disney mentors, believing in the importance of keeping positive connections to create future opportunities for local skaters.
Amanda is grateful every day to share these experiences with skaters in Hastings and the surrounding areas. She has helped many prepare for professional auditions, and several have gone on to perform with Disney and other shows worldwide. She also trains young skaters to teach skating, helping them develop the skills to assist in classes, with the hope that one day they might teach at River Blades or share their love of skating in their own communities.
Through River Blades, Amanda has trained thousands of skaters locally, producing athletes who have excelled in competitions, hockey programs, and beyond. She has taught lessons to skaters preparing for local, state, and national competitions, hockey players from mites to college hockey, and aspiring NHL hopefuls.
Amanda was also featured by the Professional Skaters Association (PSA) to present a Hockey Webinar Series for professional coaches, sharing drills and techniques to help them teach their current students and build their own hockey skating clientele.
Amanda wants to specifically thank Jeff Corkish for giving her the opportunity to work with his hockey players — including his sons Owen & Mason, and his daughter Addie — working together for over ten years. Amanda worked with Owen for 9 months out of the year, 1–2 times per week, focusing on edges and power skating throughout his amateur career. Owen is now playing for the Prince Albert Raiders. Amanda has also worked with local talent Alex Gelhar on his edges and power skating from a young age; he is now playing for the New Hampshire Mountain Kings (NAHL). Amanda continues to enjoy working with the Hastings, and Cottage Grove Hockey Associations developing their young hockey players edge and power skating skills.
Amanda credits her success to the support of her family, primary coaches from her amateur career —
Liatra Adsitt, Kathy Rissmiller, and Lana Kieffer Zigelmeier — who guided her through her entire competitive journey. They not only shaped her skills on the ice, but also taught her the life lessons that build confidence, resilience, and the belief that young skaters can reach goals far beyond what they ever imagined for themselves. Their influence played a vital role in preparing her for a professional career and instilling the passion she still carries today.
Amanda also acknowledges the many other teachers and coaches who supported her throughout her journey, each contributing to the skater and professional she became. She extends special gratitude to
Judy Thomas, Disney on Ice talent coordinator, whose belief in her opened the door to a once-in-a-lifetime career with Feld Entertainment’s Disney on Ice. Judy’s guidance and trust not only launched Amanda into her dream role as a performer but also allowed her to serve in multiple capacities within the production, shaping some of the most meaningful years of her professional life.
Amanda is grateful for the City of Hastings and the Hastings Civic Arena. She is deeply thankful to her parents for their sacrifices and to the arena managers who nurtured her dream: Silv McGree, for giving her the opportunity to open River Blades in 2005; Jeff Elliott, for providing countless opportunities for youth to thrive and build confidence; and Cory Onken, the current arena manager, who continues to support every skater and understands the importance of nurturing passion on the ice.
She also thanks the arena staff, the city of Hastings, parents, Jan Tripp, US Figure Skating, Stars on Ice, and the Ice Sports Industry (ISI), and the teachers at River Blades Skating School for their loyalty, guidance, and support, which make skating and dance possible for countless children. Amanda believes every role in a skater’s journey is important, and she instills this appreciation in her students, teaching them to acknowledge and thank the people who make their skating and performance experiences possible.
Amanda is especially grateful to the Ice Sports Industry (ISI). During the pandemic, Amanda organized donation-based online classes for her students and for skaters worldwide, coordinating lessons with professional skaters she had worked with at Disney on Ice. Her goal was to keep kids active, engaged, and excited about skating while at home. ISI noticed these efforts and featured River Blades Skating School on their platform, helping share Amanda’s community initiative internationally. The classes were offered to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, providing a way to give back and keep the skating community connected during a challenging time. Amanda was also a national speaker at the Ice Sports Industry (ISI) conference, presenting a choreography and style segment to professional coaches. She wants to thank ISI for the many opportunities they provide for youth and adult skaters to perform and thrive, helping them develop well-rounded skills across multiple categories.
She also extends her gratitude to family and friends who supported her along the way — from driving her to early-morning practices, attending local competitions and shows, and cheering from the stands — because it truly takes a village. She is especially thankful to the teachers at River Blades, who dedicate their lives to the skaters they work with, sacrificing their weekends to give back to the skating community.
These acts of support help build a young child’s self-esteem, confidence, and love for the sport, shaping not only their skills on the ice but also the people they become.
Amanda believes skating teaches more than skills on the ice. It instills grit, perseverance, dedication, honesty, integrity, self-esteem, and confidence. With the right coaches and support, sports can profoundly impact a child’s life, helping them grow into adults who give back and help the next generation thrive.
The new mural at the Hastings Civic Arena celebrates not only the city’s hockey history but also the generations of skaters, like Amanda, who have found their passion on its ice. Her message is clear: reach for the stars, blaze your own trail, and never underestimate the positive impact you can have on others. .
