News

Hockey changed my son’s life

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 24 January 2013 16:17

By Greta Orest Nelson
Proud Hockey Mom

The State of Hockey. In Minnesota, it’s hard not to be touched by hockey. You’re a player. A parent. A family member. A fan. Hockey is fun. It’s competitive. It’s belonging to a team. So many of us grow up thinking that hockey will be a part of our children’s lives too someday. That’s not always the case, either by choice or by circumstance. And then sometimes, out of the blue, hockey touches you in a way you never anticipated.

Read more: Hockey changed my son’s life

Gaining an edge

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 24 January 2013 18:18

Northern Educate Academy in Eagan is bringing a new model of specialized education and training to young Minnesota hockey players

By Peter Knutson
Let’s Play Hockey

Look out Minnesota, there’s a new school in town. The Northern Educate Academy in Eagan is now in its second year of operation. When it first opened in 2011 at the Eagan Civic Center, there were seven kids enrolled. Today, there are over 90 kids in grades K-12 and over 200 on the waiting list to get in.

Why are there 200 kids waiting to get in? Because this is no ordinary school.

10 things to do on Hockey Day Minnesota

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 17 January 2013 16:54

By Aaron Paitich

Hockey Day Minnesota: Three words have never sounded so good together. A morning when nearly the entire state wakes up feeling like it’s their birthday. A rite of passage. A daylong celebration of our heritage. The Saturday, Jan. 19, date has been earmarked on calendars all across the Land of 10,000 Lakes – and it’s now just days away.

One concern leading up to the event was the NHL lockout. These are worries no more as your Minnesota Wild is set to debut its new-look squad Saturday night at 8 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center. While the Wild vs. Avalanche is certainly a hot item, here’s a Hockey Day to-do list for all our fellow Minnesotans.

Midwest Xposure hits lucky No. 7

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 17 January 2013 17:38

The Midwest Xposure Tournament has had great competition in its first six years, but that competitive level is about to go even higher. Xposure, Co-Director and Fall Upper Midwest High School Elite League Director, John Russo, has announced that all Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota Elite League players will be discounted $100 apiece for 2013. That puts them in the Xposure for $249.

That, says tournament co-director, Tom Ward of Shattuck-St. Mary’s, “will increase the number of Elite League players up to roughly 90 and increase the quality of the tournament. Shattuck-St. Mary’s already puts a dozen or more players in the tourney. Russo commented that “this is a league sponsored event, so it is fitting that we invest some of the Elite League fees back into the players.

Minnesota Made Choice League still growing, developing great athletes

Details: Last Updated on Thursday, 17 January 2013 16:37

The Minnesota Made Choice League is having another great winter of development and competition for over 550 young athletes from around the metropolitan area. Now in its sixth season, the Choice League has grown rapidly, from having only one level and eight teams back in the winter of 2007-08, to having seven levels with 38 teams from Mites to Pee Wees.

The main draw is the emphasis on skill development that is amongst the best in the country for young hockey players and a highly competitive league where the ability level of the athletes from the top to bottom player is close, enabling the athletes to grow their game with similarly skilled players.