Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1086806
that old arena built. So it's kind of funny how that works." The facility has not only provided a new home for area teams, but also has revitalized an association once struggling to grow its registration numbers. GROWING THE GAME This season alone, Bryant said the associa- tion has gained around 40 new players at the Mite level. "This year we took a pretty big jump," Bryant said. "It's starting to go the right direction and we're pretty excited about that. That's the hardest part—getting kids and keeping kids in it, and doing things on the front end to try and get more hockey players. This year, I don't know if it's a lot of siblings getting into hockey, or if it's a little bit of our pushes to get people in, or what the whole deal is, but it's working pretty well. I think the new arena probably helped a lot, too." In the past, Proctor has had to cancel events and tournaments due to low partic- ipation and competition with newer are- nas. Thanks to St. Luke's Proctor Sports and Event Center, tournaments this season are as full as they've ever been and more and more teams are also willing to travel to Proctor for tournaments throughout the year. "This year, our tournaments filled right away and we had people on waiting lists," Bryant said. "I think that part is going to continue to grow, so that's exciting. We're also hosting our first State Tournament ever this year—a state 12U B tournament. That's something we probably wouldn't have been able to do before, so that's exciting for us." A NEW HOME St. Luke's Proctor Sports and Event Center is not only home to the Proctor Amateur Hockey Association, but also the Proctor Rails boys hockey team and the combined Proctor/ Hermantown Mirage girls hockey team. The 44,000-square-foot facility seats 1,200, and has an additional 500 standing room spaces. There's even a walking track that's been popular among residents in the com- munity. For those skating on one of two large sheets of ice outside, there's a warming room that also opens up to the concessions area. "On the PAHA side, we built two really beautiful outdoor rinks," Bryant said. "We have a huge open skating area next to those rinks, too, which is just fantastic. There are lots of people outside on the outdoor rinks. It's been really a good thing for the community." As for the old arena, it's being put to good use. The school bought the building and converted part of it to accommodate its wrestling team. "It's nice to see other sports are starting to benefit, too," Bryant said. "And with this new facility, I think the whole community is start- ing to get around and use it … That's the cool part for me—this building is affecting more than just hockey." The new facility has also encouraged vol- unteers within the community to become more involved. "I think when you get something nice and new like that, I think it was just a recharge for everyone in the association," Bryant said. "I've noticed more people are there more regularly, and they want to help out. When we get done with tournament weekends or games or whatever, people are walking around picking up stuff and trying to help clean things, which is awesome to see. It's nice to see more people coming out, taking pride in what they have and wanting to be more involved." Especially in an old railroad community like Proctor, it's second nature to offer a help- ing hand. The town may be small, but its hock- ey culture is as strong as ever. "Everyone is hard working, we have a lot of fun and we all know each other," Bryant said. "It's a tight-knit little community." M A R C H 2 0 1 9 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M 13 "We're hosting our first (Minnesota Hockey) state tournament ever this year—a state 12U B tournament. That's something we probably wouldn't have been able to do before, so that's exciting for us." –Kevin Bryant This year the Mite level alone added 40 new players.