It’s commonly referred to as the land of 10,000 lakes, bitter temperatures, and drawn-out winters. In backyards lay homemade ice rinks crowded with kids of all ages huddled around and skating to stay warm. It’s more than just a sport in Minnesota, it’s a lifestyle. It’s the state of hockey.
I grew up in the “Arctic-like-tundra” of Duluth, MN. You couldn’t drive more than a few blocks without seeing a rink. I took skating lessons as a kid but that was as far as my talents took me. I opted for a different outdoor sport, downhill ski racing, but my Dad made sure it wasn’t the last hockey I experienced.
Hometown Heroes
Ever since I can remember, my family has been season ticket holders for the UMD Bulldogs men’s hockey team. Friday and Saturday nights during the winter months were spent fighting with my brother and sister over who got to go to the games with Dad. If it was my turn to go, I’d walk hand-in-hand with my Dad through the skywalk to the DECC, the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. We’d sit just above the blue line behind the benches, the top row of the lower level. In between the first and second periods, we’d each get a scoop of ice cream, two scoops if I was lucky.
The game brought about more than just hockey. It gave me the chance to spend three periods with my Dad, gaining more knowledge from each story he told. He’d introduce me to people he knew, folks he’d met when his Dad had taken him to games as a kid. The people we sat next to at games were like family, spending an entire season together. There were the ups and downs, wins and losses, fights and power plays, penalty kills and upsets. No matter what, we continued to cheer for the maroon and gold.
National Champions
Last year, my hometown Bulldogs were crowned National Champions, the first title in school history. And somehow, UMD has continued their prominence this season. But who will be in Tampa, Florida this year for the Frozen Four in April? I look forward to bringing you college hockey news until a champion is crowned.
But besides hockey, I’ve been a sports nut ever since I can remember. I played Division I soccer at the University of South Dakota and am a diehard Minnesota Vikings and Twins fan. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to share my thoughts on the sporting world while bringing a piece of my Midwestern heritage right along with me.
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