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State of Hockey Spotlight Located around a chain of lakes at the intersection of highways 90 and 35 in south-central Minnesota is Albert Lea, a proud hockey town if there ever was one. "For as long as I can remember, we've always been a really strong hockey community," said Abby Leach, a sec- ond-generation player from Albert Lea who is in her first year as president of the Albert Lea Hockey Association. "The other night I drove past two or three out- door rinks on the lake, with the lights up. People here are really into recreation, navigating our lakes and enjoying the outdoors. Hockey is a big part of that." GROWING THE GAME The local business community, government and close to 100 volunteers have joined in efforts to grow the game in Albert Lea, with a variety of initiatives and events created to fundraise, drive awareness and ensure lower fees for its hockey families. "Our association is strong and we have an awesome board with many years of experience and also some new blood with great ideas coming in," said Leach, who replaced longtime ALHA President Todd Ulve at the start of the 2025-26 season. "We have a golf tournament in the summer which raises funds for our associa- tion and the girls' and boys' high school programs. We have our dasher board pro- gram, charitable gambling in a few local establishments as well as Hockey Day." The "Tiger Buddies" program, run through the high school boosters, matches up high school players with boys and girls in the youth programs, at the 8U, 10U and Squirt levels. They participate in events together such as open skates, autograph sessions, pizza parties and joining players on the ice for high school player introductions. Last year, the girls high school team and youth girls shared a bus to a Minnesota State game. "When you're a young hockey player you look up to the high school players, that's who you want to be some day," said Ulve. "So, to get those kids together is something special." P R E S E N T E D B Y 12 M H J ON L I N E . C O M | M A R C H 2 0 2 6 Photos / Albert Lea Hockey Association HOME ICE: Albert Lea City Arena NICKNAME: Tigers 9 Albert Lea DISTRICT: Abby Leach PRESIDENT: 210 202425 REGISTRATION NUMBERS: STATE HOCKEY of by Steve Mann