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HOME ICE: Hermantown - Northstar Ford Arena NICKNAME: Hawks 11 Hermantown State of Hockey Spotlight In its nearly 50 years of existence, the city of Hermantown, has grown considerably, attracting new residents each year with its blend of country lifestyle and proximity to Lake Superior and metropolitan Duluth. Known as the "City of Quality Living," over the past quarter-century, this tight- knit community of just over 10,000 people might be better known in local sports circles as the city of quality hockey. With boys' state high school titles in 2007, 2016, 2017 and 2022 and a girls' state title (as Proctor/Hermantown) in 2021, regular state tourna- ment appearances at various levels (including five in a row for the boys' high school team), a slew of players who went on to play in college and even a handful of National Hockey Leaguers, Hermantown has established itself as an enviable hotbed in the State of Hockey. "Hockey is much more than just a sport in Hermantown," says Hermantown Amateur Hockey Association (HAHA) President Adam Wright. "It's a culture, a community and an attitude, and it unifies and bonds us like nothing else. We stress that our parents and coaches main- tain a positive hockey mindset, where we focus on teaching the kids the game of hockey and making it fun, especially at the younger ages." RINK RAT CULTURE At the core of Hermantown's flourishing hockey culture is a "rink rat" mind- set and passion for the game that binds the community together and has helped build one of the most thriving youth hockey programs in the state. According to Wright, this mindset is brought to life year-round—indoors at Hermantown Arena and at the six nearby outdoor ice sheets—where association members have the opportunity to skate with friends after school, before and after practice and on weekends. "It is not uncommon for parents to drop their kids off at the outdoor rink facility on weekends at 8 a.m. and pick them up at 8 p.m.," said Wright. "We believe 'rink ratting ' helps our skaters capture the creative side of hockey by Steve Mann DISTRICT: Adam Wright PRESIDENT: 404 2023-24 REGISTRATION NUMBERS: 14 STATE HOCKEY M H J ON L I N E . C O M | J A N / F E B 2 0 2 5 of United Pursuit SLOGAN: P R E S E N T E D B Y Photos / Hermantown Amateur Hockey Association & Getty Images