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21 N O V / D E C 2 0 2 4 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M Communities Care "Every Minnesota college hockey player has their story about why they love the sport and why they continued to pursue their dreams at the collegiate level, and many of those stories come from the experience they had as a youth hockey player." —Brett Larson, Huskies Head Coach Olivia Dronen Moorhead ST. THOMAS HEAD COACH JOEL JOHNSON says those college players often return and give back to their communities through coach- ing and volunteering. "The community model of grassroots hockey in the state of Minnesota is the difference. When young girls look up to and try to emulate the high school and college players they see in their communities it makes a huge impact," Johnson said. "Now you add in the PWHL and the interest the league has drawn and these young girls have so much to look forward to. "In Minnesota in particular those girls most often take that excitement and enthusiasm back to their local community which creates more and more interest in the sport." St. Cloud State men's hockey head coach Brett Larson, a Duluth native, gives a stick tap to the high level of coaching and selfless commitment from volunteers. It's all about the community. "From Mites all the way up to high school, the youth and high school hockey programs in the State of Hockey are elite at preparing aspiring hockey athletes for the level of competition at the collegiate level. The level of dedication from coaches and organization officials at these programs provide a first-rate experience for the players and parents," Larson said. "Every Minnesota college hockey player has their story about why they love the sport and why they continued to pursue their dreams at the collegiate level, and many of those stories come from the experi- ence they had as a youth hockey player. "This is why the state of Minnesota leads and will continue to lead the nation in D -I hockey players." Brand New Barn Sneak peek at the locker room and ice sheet inside Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY FOR LEE AND PENNY ANDERSON ARENA on the University of St. Thomas' south campus in Saint Paul. The two-sheet facility will seat 5,000 spectators and it is projected to open next year. "We are so incredibly grateful for Lee and Penny Anderson. The incredible generosity they contin- ue to demonstrate to so many important causes is astounding," women's hockey head coach Joel Johnson said. "We can't wait to have a true home-ice advantage as we build our women's hockey program. This new facility demon- strates our commitment towards champi- onship expectations as we strive for excellence on the ice, in the classroom, and in our community."