What started with the Minnesota Wild’s marketing department looking for a unique way to promote hockey in the North Star State has since become an iconic tradition beloved by fans from Worthington to Warroad. It’s hard to imagine hockey in Minnesota without Hockey Day, and the Golden Gophers have been a part of the event since its inception.
Today, we’ll be recapping the Minnesota Gophers’ impact at Hockey Day, and some of the most iconic moments from its 17 year run.
If you’re interested in betting on college hockey, the Gophers are always featured in the sportsbooks that offer no deposit bonus codes.
2007 – The Beginning
Hockey Day Minnesota is what happens when two great ideas collide. At the time, the Minnesota Wild were a new expansion team looking to make an impact in the state, and had discussed doing a package game with the Golden Gophers. Around the same time, rival high schools Lake of the Woods and St. Paul Johnson were considering the possibility of an outdoor game. When Baudette city councilman Jeff Hovde brought the proposal to Fox Sports North, the two ideas were married into Hockey Day Minnesota.
In this first edition, the Gophers played a thrilling back-and-forth game against the University of Denver at 3M Arena, eventually coming out on top 5-4 victors.
2009 – To the Big City
In 2009, Hockey Day moved from Baudette Bay for the first time, landing in the bright lights of St. Paul. Played at the childhood rink of Herb Books, the US National Hockey Team coach during the legendary Miracle on Ice game against the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics, this iteration added an additional two high school games, as well as having the first matchup between two collegiate teams from Minnesota, as the Golden Gophers beat the St. Cloud Huskies in a wild 8-6 goal-fest.
2017 – An Alumni Classic
For this first time in 2017, the Minnesota Gophers played an alumni game as part of Hockey Day. Facing the Wisconsin Badgers at an outdoor rink at Lowell Park near the St. Croix River, Minnesota came out on top with a team led by players such as Jordan Leopold, Ryan Kraft, Keith Ballard and coach Lou Nanne.
Unfortunately, the real men’s team was not able to complete the 2-0 sweep, losing 5-3 in the Kohl Center to the Badgers.
2020- In the Heart of Minneapolis
With a stunning skyline backdrop, 2020 Hockey Day Minnesota was certainly one to remember. Not only did the event feature a special women’s State of Hockey All-Star game and an NHL alumni game, but it was also the first appearance of the Golden Gophers women’s team, who managed to edge out Ohio State in a tight 2-1 encounter.
2024- Bring on the Spartans
With the 2024 edition of Hockey Day Minnesota far to the north in Warroad, excited fans were once again treated to another excellent weekend of hockey.
And, it was the Gophers hockey team who provided perhaps the most exciting win on the schedule, even if it was technically out of state. Minnesota went into Lansing and hammered #8 Michigan State 5-1 for one of their best wins of the season.