You don’t have to chuck a puck very far in Edina to hit a hockey player. The local passion for this sport ignites the moment a kid laces up their first pair of skates and dreams of rising in the ranks of homegrown hockey power players fill their heads. Thanks to the Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MNJHL), players have an additional path to fulfill those dreams.
The Edina Lakers are an MNJHL team whose home rink is the Minnesota Made Ice Center here in Edina. The Lakers are owned by Ralph Hayne, who got involved with hockey back when his son was little and had an intoeing condition commonly known as pigeon toes. “It was suggested that he try hockey skates,” recalls Hayne. “Ice skating corrected his foot and also got our family hooked on hockey.”
Hayne got involved with the White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association when his kids were young. He served on the board and committees. “I enjoy being engaged with hockey administration,” he explains. Maybe that’s why, when he attended a meeting for the MNJHL, he came away with his own team.
The Minnesota Junior Hockey League, which was founded in 1974, includes the Edina Lakers and seven other teams that fill a particular niche. Most of the players are high school graduates who’ve yet to make the cut on college teams. Until about 10 years ago, many colleges would select their hockey players right out of high school programs, Hayne notes. “Then,” he says, “colleges determined that they sometimes prefer older, more mature and stronger players. Now it seems colleges are more selective, choosing only the absolute superstar high school players. Other college recruits typically come up through the ranks of junior programs like ours.”
Over the years, the MNJHL has also been instrumental in developing coaches, referees and team managers. Hayne thinks that more junior league teams will begin hiring sports management graduates instead of having coaches handle administrative duties. Another obvious commitment to well-rounded team development goals is the league’s addition of a director of player and coaching development, Tom Brower. His position focuses on developing the player and coaching staff off the ice, providing programs such as college coursework, and guiding coaches. His primary job is to contact colleges and inform them of talent showcased within the league.
“There is a lot of richness in the history of Edina hockey,” says Brower, whose dad John helped build Braemar Ice Arena. “I’ve been very involved with Edina hockey. We completely respect and honor the high school hockey program here. But the reality is that many good players get cut from high school hockey and believe that their hockey career is over. Teams like the Edina Lakers give many 18- and 19-year-old kids who love hockey a chance to learn and develop, to play in front of large crowds and the possibility to still go on and play at the college level.”
Drew Decker is one example. He put on skates in kindergarten and grew up playing hockey in Edina. “I played junior gold in 10th grade,” says Decker. “But it became apparent that I wasn’t going to play varsity in my junior or senior years. I began looking for options. What I discovered was the MNJHL.”
Decker tried out for the Twin Cities Northern Lights, a MNJHL team based in Bloomington. “I played for them during my junior year,” says Decker. “Then I asked if they would consider sending me to the Edina Lakers. I was living and going to school here, so it would be much more convenient.” The league agreed and during his senior year, Decker played for the Edina Lakers. “It was awesome,” Decker says. “We practiced every day before school and then worked out after school. The road trips were fun. I made a lot of good friends. It provided me the opportunity to play hockey at a high level. And it prepared me to move up.”
Decker graduated from Edina High School in 20xx. Then, during last year’s summer showcase, he received an offer to play with the Minnesota Iron Rangers, who are affiliated with Superior International Junior Hockey League. “I loved playing with the Lakers,” says Decker, “but this is a step up for me, part of the progression toward reaching my main goal, to play college hockey.” Decker moved to Hoyt Lakes and is on what he calls his hockey adventure.
For other high school hockey players still hoping to make the varsity team, the Edina Lakers provide an option for off-season play. The MNJHL offers what they call a before-and-after program for high school players. Open camp tryouts for this program are in June and July. Selected players compete with the Edina Lakers until high school team tryouts in mid-November. Athletes who make their high school team stop playing with any other league until after the high school season is completed. At that time, they can return to the “after” portion of the MNJHL before-and-after program.
Skater Nick Oliver played junior varsity hockey with Edina High School last season. He joined the Edina Lakers last summer to help improve his game and prepare him for this season. “The before-and-after program is like summer camp,” says Oliver. “There is great camaraderie among the players. It’s fun. It’s up-tempo hockey. It’s preparing me to be a better defensive player.”
Edina Laker hockey isn’t only beneficial for aspiring players, it’s great local family entertainment. For $5 to $8, you can watch a hockey game at Minnesota Made against teams from Isanti, Maple Grove, Bloomington, Hudson, Rochester, Owatonna and Wisconsin Dells. It’s a family-friendly atmosphere with beads and fake tattoos for the young ones at the rink. Plus, all the fans get an opportunity to win gift cards to places like Joe Senser’s restaurant.
Hayne says he’s committed to this team and sees himself active in the MNJHL for at least another five years. He recalls how his Lakers won the national title in 1999. ” We’ve got good coaching and dedicated players. My goal for this year is to finish in the top 25 percent of the league and go from there,” he says.
So if you are one of those Minnesotans who can’t get enough hockey, visit Minnesota Made Ice Center and cheer on your Edina Lakers.
