Hockey Day Minnesota Preparation Underway at Valleyfair: A Unique Winter Experience in Shakopee
By Ryan Dahnert
Preparations for Hockey Day MN (HDM) are in full swing at Valleyfair in Shakopee. On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to tour the portion of Valleyfair that will be hosting Hockey Day. We are now inside two weeks from the puck drop of the first game on Wednesday, January 22, when the Shakopee JV Girls take on Brainerd, and things are coming together quickly.
I met HDM board member Eric Radtke and other members of the media in the Valleyfair parking lot, where the rink was coming to life. About five years ago, Radtke became involved in an effort to save his neighborhood hockey rink, which started a journey of involvement with Shakopee Parks & Recreation and ultimately led to his position today as Vice Chair of Hockey Day Minnesota Shakopee.
Hockey Day was awarded to Shakopee in 2022. Initially, Schleper Stadium and Vaughan Field were evaluated as potential sites, but it was determined that neither site would meet HDM requirements. The idea of Valleyfair as the event site was pitched to Valleyfair management, and the rest is history. According to Radtke, Valleyfair has been a great partner. Their embrace of the event is going to provide a truly unique Hockey Day experience.
Site Preparations
One of the challenges of any outdoor event is the unpredictability of the weather. When that outdoor event is in Minnesota in January, the variables are even more dynamic. My first thought was that warmer-than-average weather might be a problem, but there is a temperature-controlled mat underneath the ice that will assist in keeping the ice in optimal condition even if temperatures rise above freezing. According to Radtke, extremely cold weather is actually a greater concern because it can cause the ice to crack, an issue encountered in past years. In the event of very cold weather, the mat beneath the ice can provide some heat to help mitigate this issue.
Perhaps the biggest site concern is a large snow event. Removing a significant amount of snow from the massive Valleyfair parking lot in a short time frame would be both logistically challenging and very costly.
After discussing the setup of the rink, locker rooms, and seating, we made our way towards the Valleyfair gates to explore some of the elements that will make the Shakopee venue truly unique. Attendees will be able to move through the main gates and turn left into the Route 76 area of the park. Inside the park, you will be able to purchase food and beverages, and if the weather cooperates, enjoy five rides. The rides include the Carousel, Flying Eagle, Scrambler, Tilter, and Antique Autos.
Inside the amphitheater, Shakopee youth hockey teams will be playing 3-on-3 games on a small rink. According to one of the hockey journalists, one of the most appreciated amenities this year may be the availability of heated restrooms.
Event Details
Hockey Day Minnesota spans four days, from Wednesday, January 22, to Saturday, January 25, with three games each of the first three days beginning at 3:30 p.m. On Saturday, hockey starts at 8:30 a.m. with the first of four games played at Valleyfair, including an 11:30 a.m. NCAA Women's Hockey matchup between the University of Minnesota and Bemidji State. The final game of Hockey Day Minnesota will take place at the Xcel Energy Center at 6:00 p.m., featuring the Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild. Admission to the Wild game is not included with admission to HDM at Valleyfair, and must be purchased separately through the MN Wild.
Single-day tickets and four-day passes are both available for purchase. Paid admission grants you access to everything on-site for Hockey Day Minnesota, including rides and other areas open inside Valleyfair. Parking is available onsite for a fee. Additionally, free shuttles will operate from Mystic Lake Casino and the SW Metro Transit station in Eden Prairie.
For more information and updates you can visit the Hockey Day Minnesota website or the event Facebook page.
