Minnesota Hockey District 16

May 7, 2012:

Dear Minnesota Hockey:

I recently had the honor and privilege of being named the 2012 Hobey Baker Award Recipient as the top men’s college hockey player.   Wow!  Just typing that sentence and reading it over and over causes all kinds of wonderful emotions and thoughts in my head.  But more so than anything, it makes me realize how fortunate I am to be from Minnesota, especially Duluth. 

I put my skates on for the first time in the warming house at the Duluth Heights outdoor rink when I was four.  And some of the other four year old kids that were putting their skates on for the first time next to me in the warming house that winter are still some of my best friends today, 18 years later.  We grew up on the outdoor ice rinks and then eventually the indoor ice rinks in the Duluth area.  My friends and I are extremely lucky to have been coached by so many wonderful people who instilled into all of us a passion and respect for the game.  I was fortunate enough to play in the state high school hockey tournament and eventually play for my hometown Bulldogs, being part of a memorable team that won the school’s first National Championship.  But it all started with the foundation that was built for me by the community hockey system that Minnesota has.

In recent years, I’ve been able to play on teams with players from all over North America.  After talking about our childhood hockey experiences, I quickly realized that hockey elsewhere is not quite like hockey in Minnesota.  As a mite and squirt playing for Duluth Heights, all I wanted to do was beat the other Duluth neighborhood teams including Piedmont Heights, Glen Avon, Portman, Congdon Park, Woodland, etc. Then at the PeeWee and Bantam level I played for Duluth East, which increased my list of rivals to places such as Cloquet, Grand Rapids, and Hibbing. Then came high school hockey at Duluth Marshall and games against Hermantown.  The only thing better than a high school game against Hermantown was a win against Hermantown!  All of this was done with my friends. All of this was done while living in the same house where I’d fall asleep as a four year old dreaming about hockey. All of this was done while continuing to play soccer at a high level throughout high school.  No, I didn’t join an all-star team of 10-year old kids in the winter and go to tournaments in Quebec City or Buffalo. I played with kids from across the alley and down the street and went to a big road trip was a tournament in Coleraine.  I didn’t move away at age 14 to pursue my hockey dreams.  Instead I stayed home to play the game I love with my friends, and had a blast doing it!

I did develop.  I developed as a hockey player and as a person.  And for that I want to thank everyone who is involved in hockey in Minnesota.  The coaches at Duluth Heights that picked me up when I fell as a four year old.  The people connected with Minnesota Hockey that oversee all of the community associations in the state.  I truly appreciate all that you have done for me and for other young hockey players in Minnesota.  I encourage you to keep doing it because hockey in Minnesota works and is indeed special.  From the bottom of my brand new Hobey Baker award, thank you!!

With Thanks,

Jack Connolly

November 9, 2011

Bemidji, MN

Bemidji is one of Minnesota’s iconic hockey towns.  From the youth program to the high school to the university, Bemidji has enjoyed hockey success at all levels.  For many Bemidji children, playing hockey is as much a part of childhood as school and braces.  So one might assume that marketing hockey is not needed in Bemidji.  Fortunately for the hockey community in Minnesota, those involved with the Bemidji Youth Hockey Association don’t agree with that thought. 

Typically the Bemidji Youth Hockey Association would register 75 – 85 new skaters per year.  But after some creative marketing efforts this past summer, there are already 105 first year hockey players from 5-8 years old in Bemidji and more are still expected to hit the ice.

“We know that some families are simply going to register their children because they are generational hockey families and they know what to do,” said Tracy Pogue, President of the Bemidji Youth Hockey Association.  “But we also know that families that didn’t grow up playing the game may be intimidated by the process.  They may not know how to register their child.  Or they may not know what equipment is needed.  Or they may think that the cost is higher than it really is.  We want all children in Bemidji to try hockey because we know once a kid puts skates on they are usually hooked.”

The Bemidji Youth Hockey Association received 24 sets of starter hockey equipment as part of the Gear Up Minnesota! equipment grant program.  The Gear Up Minnesota! program grants sets of starter hockey equipment to deserving community hockey associations through an application process each spring. The goal of the program is to continue to grow the game at the grassroots level by making entry into hockey as affordable as possible.  Along with Bemidji, 23 other associations received equipment grants for the 2011-12 season.  In total, close to $60,000 of new starter hockey equipment was granted to associations throughout Minnesota for the 2011-12 season.  The program is funded by generous grants from the Minnesota Wild Foundation, Total Hockey, Subway, West Bend Insurance, and RBC Wealth Management.

“Receiving the Gear Up Minnesota! grant was critical to generating our growth,” said Pogue.  “Being able to offer the free equipment sealed the deal for many families.   And since we loan the equipment, we will be able to use if for the next several winters to ensure that our growth continues well into the future.”

Recently, Nordy from the Minnesota Wild and representatives of Minnesota Hockey attended an open house at the Bemidji Community Arena held to celebrate the tremendous growth in Bemidji.  “It is exciting to see what the community hockey associations throughout Minnesota, including Bemidji, are doing to ensure that boys and girls have the opportunity play hockey,” said Dave Margenau, President of Minnesota Hockey. “Their efforts, combined with support from the Minnesota Wild Foundation, Total Hockey, Subway, West Bend Insurance, and RBC Wealth Management is one of the many examples of why Minnesota truly is The State of Hockey.”  Nordy shared President Margenau’s excitement for Bemidji’s growth but was unable to put it into words.

Thank you to Tracy Pogue and all of the tireless volunteers in Bemidji for your efforts!