MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO, Mankato, MN (January 18, 2020) — the 15th Annual Statewide Hockey Celebration will play at Blakeslee Stadium.
The Minnesota Wild, along with FOX Sports North and Minnesota Hockey, announced today that Mankato will host Hockey Day Minnesota 2021. Sitting on the southern edge of Minnesota State University, Mankato, Blakeslee Stadium will serve as the venue for the 15th annual statewide hockey celebration.
"On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee, the Greater Mankato Region is honored to bring Hockey Day Minnesota to our community in 2021, said Hockey Day Minnesota 2021 Event Co-Chairs David Wittenberg and Brad Braun. "We are excited to partner with Minnesota State University, Mankato and the Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic to host this iconic event at Blakeslee Stadium next January. As the waters of the Minnesota River run through our community, so does a deep passion and love for the game of hockey. We thank the Minnesota Wild and Fox Sports North for the opportunity to add our name to the long line of storied hockey communities that have hosted this tremendous event before us, and to continue to showcase why Minnesota is indeed, the State of Hockey."
The announcement was made following the Ohio State vs. University of Minnesota women's hockey game at Parade Stadium part of Hockey Day Minnesota 2020 coverage on FOX Sports North. Additional details, including the date, match-ups and the official schedule for Hockey Day Minnesota 2021 will be announced at a later date.
"We are thrilled for Mankato to host Hockey Day Minnesota 2021," said Minnesota Wild President Matt Majka. "With passion for all levels of hockey in the city, including their Division 1 men's and women's hockey teams at Minnesota State University, Mankato, we believe the community has demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm and commitment for hosting a great celebration at next year's Hockey Day Minnesota."
Mankato's festivities will be part of a day-long television event broadcast on FOX Sports North, designed as a celebration of the game from peewees to pros. Proceeds of the event will benefit Mankato Area Hockey Association in an effort to grow the game through youth hockey.
"We are looking forward to visiting the southern part of the State of Hockey to celebrate the great tradition and influence Mankato has had on the game," said Mike Dimond, Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX Sports North.
Blakeslee Stadium is home to MSU football and served as the summer training camp home to the National Football League's (NFL) Minnesota Vikings from 1966-2017. The 7,000-seat, natural grass surface facility opened in 1962.
Mankato is home to one of the top men's and women's hockey programs in WCHA history, Minnesota State University, Mankato. MSU's hockey program boasts 14 current and former NHL players and three Olympians.
About Hockey Day Minnesota
Hockey Day Minnesota originated in 2007 by the Minnesota Wild to celebrate the game that has made Minnesota the State of Hockey. It is produced in partnership with FOX Sports North, Minnesota Hockey and the respective local community that serves as host each year. Previous locations include Baudette Bay (2007, 2008), Phalen Park (2009), Hermantown (2010), Moorhead (2011), Minnetonka (2012), Grand Rapids (2013), Elk River (2014), Saint Paul (2015), Duluth (2016), Stillwater (2017), St. Cloud (2018), Bemidji (2019) and Minneapolis (2020). For more information, visit www.wild.com/hockeyday.