HOME ICE:
Fergus Falls Community Arena
NICKNAME:
Otters
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Sarah Casey
PRESIDENT:
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M H J O N L I N E . C O M | J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 3
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of
STATE
HOCKEY
Fergus Falls
State of Hockey Spotlight
WHY THEY'RE AWESOME
Sarah Casey couldn't help but smile when she took a drive around Fergus
Falls last fall.
Sprinkled in with countless political yard signs, there were just about as
many signs promoting hockey registration for the upcoming season.
"It's a breath of fresh air," said Casey, president of the Fergus Falls Hockey
Association. "Hockey has a pretty big presence in this town. Last year, we hit
a 19-year high with almost 270 skaters in the association."
It's no surprise that hockey is booming in Fergus Falls, thanks to a positive
culture, dedicated players and a legacy of deep hockey roots in the community.
"There was a time in the 90s and early 2000s where Fergus Falls had a run in
the state tournament on the boys' side for about seven years in a row," Casey
said. "A lot of those players are now parents in our community. They've seen
success and they know what it's like. And I think they want that for kids."
There are also many new families that want to be a part of the action.
"I think Fergus Falls' success is a combination of those things—the deep
roots and the new excitement," Casey said. "Word of mouth is a really pow-
erful recruitment tool. People are enjoying their experience, they're learning
and improving, and they're telling their friends."
ROCK AND ROLL
Fergus Falls welcomed almost 70 first-year skaters last year—double what
it typically has.
One of the association's biggest recruiting tools is its GirlzROCK &
BoyzROLL program. It's geared toward skaters between the ages of 4 and 8
Photos / Derek Ricke, Fergus Falls Hockey Association
P R E S E N T E D B Y
by Elizabeth Boger
2021-22
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