ThoughtsOutdoorSkating

Outdoor skating in Minnesota. A lost or dying breed? Is a lack of outdoor ice hurting the game, and High School hockey in Minnesota?

Vintage Minnesota Hockey is taking a deep look into outdoor skating within Minnesota and if a lack of outdoor ice, or a lack of general interest with outdoor skating in Minnesota is hurting the game, and in turn hurting High School hockey in Minnesota? We will be sharing some in depth research/facts/figures that we have conducted over the past 4 months as to what communities throughout the state maintain outdoor rinks, and which do not? Of those that do not, did they once have city maintained ice rinks, and now choose not to flood come winter? If so, why?

~Why are kids seemingly not skating outdoors any longer like they once did many years ago?~

~How much does it cost taxpayers to flood multiple rinks within certain communities throughout Minnesota?~

~Which community still DOES have outdoor rinks and draws a large amount of kids playing hockey today?~

~Does early outdoor skating amount to a better well rounded hockey player later in youth hockey, and through high school?~

A beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon in February with ice at this park, but no kids....

Once a busy Minneapolis park with ice, now sits empty with only snow accumulation and grass