Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1511424
INSPIRED TO SUCCEED Sometimes all it takes is a little success to invigorate a community and fuel a winning tradition. According to Kennelly, who served as president of NHA for the last five years, having both of its high school girls' and boys' teams make appearances in the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournaments for the first time—2016 for the girls and 2017 for the boys—made a huge impact. "We had been close so many times, so for both teams to make it over the hump and play at the X(cel Energy Center) was huge," he said. "The young kids in the program saw the hard work pay off and it motivated them to push themselves to see if they could make a state tournament run. Success is contagious and it's created an environ- ment that people want to be a part of." That success on the state's biggest hockey stage has contributed to the overall growth of the Northfield program. In fact, Kennelly says registrations for the upcoming 2023-24 season are the highest in NHA's history. Inspiring growth is one thing, sustaining it is another. The future development of players in Northfield has been and will be buoyed by a strong belief in the tenets of the USA Hockey American Development Model, including small area games. "Mixing in competition with repetition is a great way to keep players interested and forget that they're working on skills," said Kennelly. "As we've continued to develop, we've partnered with Northfield Skating School to do additional skating programming, with St. Olaf College to run some preseason clinics, and with other partners to provide goalie and specialized training. Our summer program has also given kids an opportunity to get in additional training and keep the legs from getting rusty." FORMULA FOR GROWTH Like the Malt- O -Meal ingredients mixed together at Northfield's original Ames Mill, there's a recipe for growth for the local hockey program as well. NHA has participated in Hockey Day in Northfield and USA Hockey's Try Hockey for Free program and partnered with Community Action Center, a local non-profit, to provide scholar- ships for anyone interested in playing hockey. Information tents at local community events like the Jesse James Days Parade and CrazyDays have served as ways to boost player recruiting and reten- tion. One of the most critical components has been the collaboration of groups within the Northfield hockey community. "We've had some incredible non-parent and parent coaches who are truly dedicated to developing kids and growing the game," said Kennelly. "Perry Kruse has volunteered his time coaching our youngest level of skaters for over 30 years. We've also had coaches share practice plans and development tools from one season to the next to continue that continuity in development. Our coaches have also encouraged the Bantam age players to attend the Mite practices and help out. This has been a great success as those young players have access to the older players they look up to, and it's furthered the community feel we've worked hard to develop." BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD The excitement around the two high school state tournament runs and the trickle-down effect that has led to recent growth is just the beginning for NHA. The Cannon River Royals, a co-op with the Faribault Hockey Association, has been successful, and allowed girls to continue to play at appropriate levels (their U15Bs made a state tourney run of their own in 2023). With a new president—Ryan Sabyan—leading the way and a renewed effort to build a new rink, the future of Northfield hockey looks bright. "I'm excited to take on the role as president of the NHA, as hockey isn't just a sport that our kids enjoy playing, it is a lifestyle we live," said Sabyan. "I've been on the board of this association for three years leading up to this year and enjoyed my time being a part of a growing association. The friendships you make while at the rink all winter long become lifetime friends. Seeing the kids' faces when they show up to the rink excited about their hour on the ice is always great to see." The hope in Northfield is that soon a refreshed place to play and host tournaments will align better with the vibrant hockey com- munity and atmosphere that already exists. In recent years, NHA has partnered with neighboring arenas to meet the demand for ice time. Despite an unsuccessful referendum to build a new facility five years ago, the community has once again come together to try to make their dreams a reality. NHA continues to work with the city on a potential new arena, to be located next to an existing—and extremely popular—outdoor rink. Time will tell if the new building will become a reality. But one thing is certain: the Northfield hockey community will rally togeth- er. Given its history, that's one thing you can bank on. 15 N O V. / D E C . 2 0 2 3 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M