Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1531040
and ultimately makes them better overall players. We also do a rink rat challenge, where if you meet a certain number of hours of rink ratting, the player is rewarded with merchandise." GROWING THE GAME Continuing to grow the game is vital, even in a hockey-mad state like Minnesota, and few areas have exemplified this more than Hermantown. "As an association, we feel it's very important to keep the sport affordable," said Wright. "For the families that are having finan- cial difficulties, we offer a service called 'Fund-a-Hawk,' which supports those families in need. Additionally, we partner with our local Play-it-Again Sports in Duluth for equipment cost reduc- tions for families that qualify. We have many fundraising oppor- tunities to help minimize costs. We want to give every child the opportunity to play the great sport of hockey." Hermantown has also stayed true to its mission to focus on long-term development. HAHA puts on camps and clinics year- round. They have a Director of Player Development, Director of Goalies as well as a Hockey Development sub-committee, whose responsibilities are specifically focused on skill development for players of all ages within the association. The latest example of the community coming together was a groundbreaking ceremony in July for a new hockey facility, to include two sheets of ice, a dryland training area, viewing room, stadium seating and various other amenities. "This project really showcases the incredible support of our Hermantown community," said Wright. "From the initial passage of funding, including knocking on doors and countless hours of phone calls, to the impressive work being done behind the scenes by the Arena Legacy Fund to ensure sustainability, this complex not only exemplifies what it means to be a Hawk but also the impressive community support we have towards youth athletics and the future of Hermantown." SKATING IT FORWARD According to Wright, it's normal to have former Hermantown high school and college skaters come to HAHA practices and sum- mer events, and even to association members' homes to just shoot pucks around with them. He said there have been numerous occa- sions where Hermantown alumni, who currently play in the NHL, stop by the rink to talk with the kids and/or skate on the ice. "This year, we had a hockey meeting at the beginning of the season, with all of our association in attendance," said Wright. "We brought back five Hermantown alumni, who spoke about culture, teamwork and sportsmanship and signed sticks and jerseys for the kids. Our boys' high school Head Coach, Pat Andrews, emceed the event and did a Q -and-A with the players. You could see the excitement in the room from not only the skaters, but the parents as well." "Each year," Wright added, "directly following a varsity hockey game, our varsity players will keep their equipment on, go to our outdoor rink complex and skate with our association members. It's a community event where we roast marshmallows, drink hot chocolate and socialize. This is always an exciting event for our association members and means so much to them. For a lot of them, they get to skate with their idols." 15 J A N / F E B 2 0 2 5 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M NEAL PIONK Hermantown products and UMD Hermantown products and UMD alumni Neal Pionk and Dylan Samberg alumni Neal Pionk and Dylan Samberg patrol the blue line for the Winnipeg Jets. patrol the blue line for the Winnipeg Jets. DYLAN SAMBERG X