Hockey Day Minnesota festivities began Wednesday, January 22 in Shakopee. The headline day is Saturday when the Hibbing/Chisholm boys battle Eden Prairie outside at Valley Fair.

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“A little nervous because there’s a lot of people. It’s always a great day in Minnesota, everyone knows Hockey Day. I’m just excited to show up in front of all the fans,” Tate Swanson said, a junior forward with Hibbing/Chisholm.

Hockey Day Minnesota is a tradition that dates back to 2007 when it was held on Baudette Bay. It truly was a one day affair, until 2018. It now spans four days, beginning Wednesday and ending Saturday, featuring a variety of matches from youth to high school, and even college alumni games.

The Bluejackets will make just their second-ever Hockey Day appearance Saturday, and their first since 2013 when it was held in Grand Rapids.

“They’ve all watched it all the way up. But prepare wise, we’re just going to work hard and have fun,” Hibbing/Chisholm head coach Aaron Jamnick said.

“We have the Greenhaven Outdoor Rink. I’m always there, so I’m used to the cold,” Cole Swanson said, a Bluejacket freshman forward. “I always went there as a kid. Me, Sunny, and Tate, both on the team, watched it as a kid when Grand Rapids was in it. So it’s just cool that we get to play in it.”

The Bluejackets drop the puck against Eden Prairie Saturday at 8:30 am at Valley Fair. It’s the first time Hockey Day is being held at an Amusement Park. Games on Saturday are scheduled be televised on FanDuel Sports Network. For the full Hockey Day schedule, Click here.