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HOME ICE: White Bear Lake Sports Center & Hippodrome Ice Arena DISTRICT: PRESIDENT: Chad Marquardt 2 Bears NICKNAME: 856 2019-20 REGISTRATION NUMBERS: M H J O N L I N E . C O M | M A R C H 2 0 2 1 14 WHY THEY'RE AWESOME Since its inception in 1968, the White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association has cultivated a strong sense of community. Generations of hockey players have passed through the historic program— and many of them even return home to their roots to drop off their own children at practice. "Community is, of course, the main focus," said White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association president Chad Marquardt. "One of the biggest things I've noticed getting back involved with the association since my son was born, is we have third generation and potentially fourth generation players in White Bear Lake." Those players can't help but stay close to the place that helped shape their future. "We have a long history of sending our players to the next level," Marquardt said. "Many of them have gone on to play college hockey as well as in the profes- sional ranks. We have 2007 Stanley Cup winner and current FSN analyst Ryan Carter as an alum. "Ryan grew up in White Bear and still resides in White Bear. We've also got local business owners that grew up here—that live here and earn a living here. It's just a really neat community. It's a special place to play hockey." GROWING A PASSION The White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association consists of five municipalities: White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, Hugo, Gem Lake and White Bear Township. State of Hockey Spotlight White Bear Lake of STATE HOCKEY by Elizabeth Boger Photos / Jim Rosvold, Submitted by WBLAHA