Industry Insight

Minnesota nICE

It is common to hear whistles blowing and fans cheering at MNSU’s Blakeslee Stadium, the home of Maverick Football.

But in the middle of January?

Now that’s a first.

Such will be the case when the puck drops for Hockey Day Minnesota 2022 at the temporary outdoor ice rink sitting atop Blakeslee Field. Hockey players and fans from across the state will gather to watch, cheer, and play during the State of Hockey’s annual celebration of their favorite sport.

“I love the game of hockey, and I think this is an amazing opportunity for the greater Mankato community,” said Missy Bradley, treasurer of the executive committee for the Hockey Day Minnesota Local Organizing Committee. “That’s why I got involved. What better way to showcase our community, its people and its businesses than to attract over 15,000 spectators in one week?”

You read that correctly—one week. Hockey Day Minnesota, developed in 2007 by the Minnesota Wild, was intended to be a one-day annual celebration of the sport, located in a different Minnesota city every year. In 2019, Bemidji raised the bar by hosting it as a two-day event. As the first-ever host city south of Minneapolis, Mankato will break multiple traditions by having Hockey “Day” extend from Jan. 16 to the 23.

“We thought to ourselves, ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing to have every player from the local high schools and the Mankato Area Hockey Association play a game on this outdoor rink?’” Bradley said. “Since we are investing all of these resources into this event, why not involve as many community members as possible?”

It costs a lot to build an outdoor 85-by200-foot ice rink, two smaller rinks, locker rooms, bleachers, heated warming areas, a jumbotron, and much more. In order to

“What better way to showcase our community, its people and its businesses than to attract over 15,000 spectators in

one week?”– Missy Bradley

Corporate Graphics

1750 Northway Drive, North Mankato, MN 56003 800-729-7575 www.corpgraph.com

do so and to meet the needs of Bally Sports North, which produces and provides live coverage of the event, the organizing committee has partnered with many sponsoring local businesses and has formed a fiscal sponsorship with Mankato Area Foundation. As their fiscal sponsor, the Foundation provides all the necessary “back office” support. They accept donations, provide tax receipts, pay invoices for expenses, and will be present throughout the week.

“Putting on this event simply would not have been possible without Mankato Area Foundation,” Bradley said. “They have made everything so seamless for us, and it has worked so beautifully to partner with such a well-established and respected community organization.”

According to Nancy Zallek, president and CEO of Mankato Area Foundation, the feeling is mutual.

“The local organizing committee is made up of some of Mankato’s strongest business leaders, and they are giving a gift to our community by bringing Hockey Day Minnesota to our backyard,” Zallek said. “We are thrilled to be the fiscal sponsor of such a fun and exciting event.

This will be a yearslong dream realized, according to Dave Wittenberg, co-chair of the local organizing committee.

“It is an extensive process to apply to be the host community. Informal conversations started back in 2014 with serious discussions beginning in 2018,” Wittenberg said. “We were originally awarded the event for 2021, but had to postpone due to COVID-19. Needless to say, we are more than ready to drop the puck on Jan. 16.”

While many of the events on the official Hockey Day (Saturday, Jan. 22) are scheduled and determined by Bally Sports North, the rest of the week is a creative collaboration showcasing various local teams and talents. For example, Wednesday, Jan. 19, is called “Hockey for Her,” a day dedicated to girls and women’s hockey. Thursday, Jan. 20, is “Community Night,” which will raise money for FOCP and ECHO Food Shelf. It will also feature games played by wounded or disabled veterans; live music; and appearances by Mankato “celebrities.” Friday Jan. 21, “Friday Night Lights,” will feature a Mankato West vs. East boys’ game plus a Maverick Men’s Hockey alumni game. And that is just the tip of the iceberg … or ice rink?

“We have so many exciting things planned, and there will be something for everyone in the family—regardless of their relationship to hockey,” Bradley said. “There will be food trucks, live music, outdoor hockey, or a combination of all of the above.”

Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of the Mankato community, and there are still plenty of ways to get involved. Those who want to sponsor, volunteer, or buy tickets for any of the events can do so at hockeydaymnmankato.com.

Nancy Zallek

MANKATO AREA FOUNDATION