If Minnesota is a state steeped in hockey history, White Bear is the epicenter. Since the early 20th century, the City of Lakes and Legends has been home to many firsts—for both players and teams. Long ago, a community hockey team became one of the first in the state, with area resident Moose Goheen becoming the first local to put the area on the Minnesota hockey map. It is this legacy and the efforts of Jon Anderson, former Gopher hockey forward, and Corey Roberts, owner of The Minnesotan, that have brought Hockey Day Minnesota to White Bear Township at long last.
From January 26–29 at Polar Lakes Park, state high school and college teams will compete for glory, with some highly anticipated area hockey rivalries. And for the first time ever, Hockey Day Minnesota will feature a NCAA Division III game between Saint John’s University and Augsburg University on Friday, January 27. An estimated 20,000 visitors will gather over the course of the week, with a 16-hour television broadcast by Bally Sports North featuring all matches followed by the Minnesota Wild vs. Buffalo Sabers game from the Xcel Energy Center.
Between matches at Polar Lakes Park, visitors can enjoy live music, vendors and food trucks. The festivities on Saturday, January 28 will include a military honor guard, flyover and fireworks display. Sunday is “Hockey Changes Lives Day,” which will highlight the Hendrickson Foundation, MN Warriors and Shine-a-Light organizations. Net proceeds from the event will be donated to White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association to support youth hockey.
Tickets are available for purchase at hockeydaymn.com.
