Category Archives: Juniors

Talking Mental Health with Paul Martin and Hans Skulstad

The changes seen in youth hockey over a generation have been significant. Social media, early specialization, personalized instruction, endless offseason teams and training opportunities, along with more involved parents, have created a climate whose effect on young athletes psychological development is still being understood. Expectations are different, as is training, both in hours spent and […]

2023 NAHL Showcase just two weeks away

The Greatest Show on Ice begins on Wednesday, Sept. 13th at the Super Rink in Blaine, MN DALLAS, TEXAS – The 20th annual North American Hockey League (NAHL) Showcase is just two weeks away and will be held from September 13-16, 2023, at the Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota. All 32 NAHL teams will play between […]

IRA Civic Center Project

by Jackson Boline Let’s Play Hockey Contributor The IRA (Itasca Recreation Association) Civic Center in Grand Rapids, MN. is one of the most historic arenas in the state of Minnesota. The arena has two sheets of ice, which host the Grand Rapids Boys and Girls Youth Hockey Association, home of the Thunderhawks. The High School […]

Runestone Community Center expansion project

by Jackson Boline Let’s Play Hockey Contributor The city of Alexandria is close to adding a fourth sheet of ice on the west side of the Runestone Community Center, attached to the “West Rink.” This $20 Million project has been in the works for the past 14 years.  “We have about $11.2 million committed through […]

Heart to Heart

Austin Dwyer is the recipient of the 2023 Patrick Schoonover Award By Bryan Zollman Austin Dwyer was seven years old when Patrick Schoonover collapsed and died at age 14 on the ice during a bantam hockey game. Both were playing in the Eastview Hockey Association. Aaron Dwyer, Austin’s dad, was on the Eastview Hockey Board […]

Officially Speaking: The Hand pass and Analytical Greatness

By Mark Lichtenfeld Most people reading this column could care less about the nuances of officiating. What they really want is to peruse the OS analysis about various issues and important matters which will help them and/or their kids negotiate their respective ways to successful careers. This is where OS excels. By utilizing the finer […]