NHL-NHA Alumni Game

            On December 5 at 2:45 pm, a team of former NHL players will come to the Northfield arena to play a local team.  They last played two years ago; it was a great game.  Reflecting on the 2007 game, Northfield player Steve Hahn recalled, “I used muscles I didn’t know I had.  They play a much different more lateral style of play.” 

            Hahn is part of a local men’s league that plays regularly.  Any experienced hockey player is invited to play in the NHL Alumni game or join the men’s league.  If interested in playing in the NHL game, contact Brian Parrish.  The game is at 2:45 on Saturday, December 5.  Tickets to the game are $5.  A social hour follows at the Northfield Golf Club at 6 pm.  Tickets are $30 ($25 in advance).  All proceeds go to youth hockey.   Advance tickets are available at Papa Murphy’s or by contacting Terry Gruenhagen at 612-963-6024.

The game is part of the beginning of the Northfield Hockey Association’s season which features levels of teams from 4-year olds to NHL stars.  Currently there are 201 players on 8 teams that range from Mites (4-6 year olds) to Bantams (13-15 year olds)   With the recently upgraded equipment at the Northfield Arena, the NHA was able to start its season in late September.  They started with a clinic led by hockey development expert Frank Burggraf and former NHL and Gopher star, Scott Bjugstad. 

The Association also added a new in-house program this year which supplements the 8 traveling teams.   It offers an experience that requires less time than the traveling teams.  There is also another new program to introduce boys and girls with no experience to the great sport of hockey.  (Contact Marietta Ruppe with registration questions.)  So there should be something for everybody at the Northfield Arena.  You can play against the stars or you can play at your own level.