State of Hockey Spotlight: Minneapolis
Get to know one of the state’s thriving hockey associations
By Elizabeth Boger
Why they’re awesome
Minneapolis’ rich hockey history stretches back more than 100 years.
The walls of Parade Ice Garden in Minneapolis tell the stories of NHL players, highlight the achievements of former Olympians and offer young skaters a glimpse of how hockey has transformed in the City of Lakes.
“I think it’s eye-opening to the kids, the parents and to all the people that come into Parade and look at the Minneapolis Hockey Hall of Fame,” said Tim Hanson, president of the Minneapolis Hockey Association. “There’s really a deep history that’s there.”
That history serves as an inspiration to more than 700 young skaters that suit up for the Minneapolis Storm—a flourishing program that’s been welcoming a record number of players in recent years.
But that wasn’t always the case.
In the 1980s, community-based hockey programs in the city started losing players to other growing suburban areas.
“That was about the time when hockey was dying in the city,” Hanson said. “People were moving out. Kids weren’t there.”
What used to be eight associations in Minneapolis eventually dwindled down to just two—Southwest and Washburn. The two merged in the fall of 2008 to form Minneapolis Hockey.
“There were maybe 300 hockey players between the two of them, but the merger between the two associations was really when the bulk of the momentum and inertia got going,” Hanson said. “Paul Larson was the president for Washburn and Steve Jecha was the president for Southwest. These were two guys that were very passionate about growing the team. Since then, they’ve built and maintained a very strong board that’s willing to go out and get things done.”
Banding together
Minneapolis Hockey prides itself in creating fun, unique experiences for players, including a cultural exchange program with Sweden that exposes players to the game of bandy.
Bandy—which is often described as field hockey on skates—is played on a sheet of ice the size of a soccer field. Each team is made up of 11 players. Those players aim to score by hitting a ball the size of a tennis ball into the other team’s net with a curved stick.
“Steve Jecha played bandy, and he struck up a cultural exchange program that’s been going on now for about 20 years,” Hanson said. “We have the Swedish American Bandy Camp. They bring in Swedish bandy coaches every summer and expose kids to the game of bandy and to the culture of Sweden.”
Every other year, a group of players travels to Vasteras, Sweden to play bandy.
“They also practice some hockey with the local clubs over there in Vasteras and have a lot of cultural enrichment programs,” Hanson said. “They do a home stay with Swedish players and go to school for a morning in Sweden. They really get to experience what it’s like in Sweden.”
The program has fostered strong friendships and relationships on and off the ice. Many players even opt to play recreational bandy on Sunday nights at the Guidant John Rose MN OVAL in Roseville, which is the only refrigerated bandy rink in the country.
“It’s just a way to get them on the ice—get them more ice touches and get them skating,” Hanson said.
Creating lasting experiences
Set in the heart of a diverse socioeconomic area, Minneapolis Hockey is committed to making sure all kids get an opportunity to play.
Thanks to scholarship funds, the association has been able to grow the game and provide players with an outlet they can enjoy for life.
“What really makes it fun for the kids—and this goes back to our mission statement or value statement—is creating lasting experiences through teamwork, respect and fun,” Hanson said.
Whether that’s making new friends in Sweden or looking forward to practice after school, those experiences have helped the association continue to attract new skaters and transform itself into a competitive youth program.
When Hockey Day Minnesota 2020 came to Minneapolis, spectators basked in the historic hockey culture and bright future of the city. Thanks to the volunteers and their grassroots efforts, that century-old culture is as strong as ever.
“Everybody wants to win, but we’re not always just about winning games,” Hanson said. “We want to teach the game of hockey, make sure the kids have fun while learning it and respect the game. But ultimately, it’s about helping create young, respectful and productive kids in society.”
Home Ice: Parade Ice Garden
District: 3
Nickname: Storm
President: Tim Hanson
2019-20 Registration Numbers: 747