FACEOFF
M A R C H 2 0 2 5 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M
03
O N T H E C O V E R :
Over the last 30 years, the
High Performance programs
have helped push Minnesota's
community-based model to the top.
Photos by James Butler, Loren Nelson
Michael Russo assembles the State of
Hockey's roster.
04 / GOALS & ASSISTS
Snapshots from around the
State of Hockey.
08 / MHJ'S 2025
CAMP GUIDE
Take your game to the next level at
these summer hockey camps.
10 / TIPS: CHAMPIONS
PLAY MULTIPLE SPORTS
Why the world's best hockey players
didn't specialize early.
12 / STATE OF HOCKEY
SPOTLIGHT: PINK
PANTHERS MARK
20 YEARS
Hutchinson Hockey Association's big
bet on girls' hockey pays off.
20 / 30 YEARS OF HIGH
PERFORMANCE
How the High Performance programs
fueled a Minnesota hockey renaissance.
24 / ONE LAST RIDE
Why Minnesota's stars stay for their
senior season.
IN THIS ISSUE
MINNESOTA HOCKEY JOURNAL
M
A
R
C
H
2
0
2
5
YEARS OF HP
HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS TAKE
COMMUNITY-BASED HOCKEY TO THE NEXT LEVEL
+ INTRODUCING
SKATE IT
FORWARD
+ SPOTLIGHT:
20 YEARS
OF THE PINK
PANTHERS
RUSSO:
ALL-MN
NHL TEAM
RUSSO: THE ALL
MINNESOTA NHL TEAM
MARCH
27
The Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Wild
Foundation have embarked on one of their
boldest missions yet.
INTRODUCING SKATE IT FORWARD
15
EDITOR: Aaron Paitich
CONTRIBUTORS:
Drew Herron, Steve Mann, Jessi Pierce, Michael Russo
DESIGN & PRODUCTION:
Mike DeArmond, Brandon Favre, Rob Johnson,
Taylor McCumber, Matt Orr
ADVERTISING: Bryan Nelson
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR: Emily Sizen
WEBSITE: mhjonline.com
E-MAIL: contactus@minnesotahockeyjournal.com
ASSOCIATION
minnesotahockey.org usahockey.com
PUBLISHER
CEO: Laura McEwen
CHAIRMAN: Steve Farbman
PRESIDENT: James McEwen
SR. VICE PRESIDENT: Dave Jensen
1601 Utica Avenue South, Suite 110
Minneapolis, MN 55416
PHONE: (763) 595-0808
E-MAIL: info@touchpointmedia.com
WEBSITE: touchpointmedia.com
"The purpose of Minnesota Hockey, an affiliate of USA
Hockey, is to encourage and improve the standard of
youth and other amateur ice hockey; to conduct ice
hockey tournaments and to select representative teams
to participate in tournaments; to associate with other ice
hockey associations; to do any and all acts necessary for
creating further interest in youth and other amateur hockey."
MHJ
M I N N E S O TA H O C K E Y J O U R N A L
MINNESOTA HOCKEY
CORPORATE PARTNERS
The following organizations have generously supported
amateur hockey in Minnesota. Please consider their support
next time you make a purchase.
Volume 26, Number 4
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Jake
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elite forwards.
