Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1288673
17. | Our barns. There are so many arenas with so much character and uniqueness throughout our state. It's an honor to suit up—and even spectate—in rinks like the Eveleth Hippodrome, IRA Civic Center in Grand Rapids, Aldrich Arena in Maplewood, Braemar Arena in Edina and Graham Arena in Rochester, just to name a few. We have fond memories of each venue and the good times had inside. 18. | Speed. Pedal to the metal, our game gets faster each and every season, and we are all in on that. 19. | Opportunity. No matter what age or skill level you are, there is a team and league for you to play on— and you don't have to travel far. 20. | The friendships. The friends you make in hockey will become friends for life. The memories you make will remain forever special. It's true when they say hockey people are the best people, so let's cherish each moment together. 14. | College hockey. The in-state col- lege hockey programs are always filled with local players and they're always contenders, which makes for some great puck. There are no bigger fans of the college game than Minnesotans. 15. | Personal connections to the game's best players. Last year, 54 Minnesota natives played in the NHL and 944 men and women played NCAA hockey. With so many great players, most Minnesotans that grow up playing hockey have the chance to play with or against some of hockey's future stars. 16. | The rivalries. Whether it's Roseau vs. Warroad, UMD and North Dakota or the Wild taking on the 'Hawks—there's always an intriguing match- up near you. BUBBLE HOCKEY While 54 Minnesotans suited up for a least one NHL game this 2019-20 season, 28 Minnesotans found themselves in the NHL playoff bubble competing for the 2020 Stanley Cup. Here's who the State of Hockey had contending during this year's playoffs* W E S T Chicago Blackhawks Nick Seeler (Eden Prairie) Vegas Golden Knights Nate Schmidt (St. Cloud) Colorado Avalanche Erik Johnson (Bloomington) Hunter Miska (Duluth) Arizona Coyotes Derek Stepan (Hastings) Alex Goligoski (Grand Rapids) Dallas Stars Jake Oettinger (Lakeville) Calgary Flames Derek Forbort (Duluth) St. Louis Blues Austin Poganski (St. Cloud) Justin Faulk (South St. Paul) Vancouver Canucks Brock Boeser (Burnsville) E A S T Philadelphia Flyers Justin Braun (White Bear Lake) Matt Niskanen (Virginia) Tyler Pitlick (Minneapolis) Andy Welinski (Duluth) Alex Lyon (Baudette) Montreal Canadiens Ryan Poehling (Lakeville) Charlie Lindgren (Lakeville) Tampa Bay Lightning Ryan McDonagh (St. Paul) Columbus Blue Jackets -None- Washington Capitals Travis Boyd (Hopkins) Shane Gersich (Chaska) T.J. Oshie (Warroad) New York Islanders Anders Lee (Edina) Brock Nelson (Warroad) Nick Leddy (Eden Prairie) Boston Bruins Karson Kuhlman (Esko) Carolina Hurricanes Jake Gardiner (Minnetonka) Brady Skjei (Lakeville) O C T O B E R 2 0 2 0 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M 23 *Note: Teams who played in the qualifying play-in games were not considered* Why do you love hockey in Minnesota? Tell us on Twitter at @MNHockeyJournal or @MinnHockey. TA L K TO U S ! Nate Schmidt (St. Cloud)