Hat Trick of Hockey Tournaments Expected to Bring Business Boom
Pucks could bring more bucks to local businesses.
Three youth hockey tournaments, including the USA Hockey National High School tournament, are coming to the Northwest Suburbs in March. Plymouth Ice Center is the primary location for the National High School Tournament. New Hope Ice Arena will host a regional bantam tournament and Maple Grove Ice Arena is the site for the Tier II 18U National Tournament.
Gretchen Wilbrandt of Experience Minnesota says the tournaments could be a boon for local businesses, especially restaurants and hotels. Similar tournaments in other cities have pumped as much $2.5 million into local economies.
The Lookout Bar and Grill in Maple Grove will run specials for teams and use its space to accommodate large groups of hungry players and tired parents.
“We can put 40 in a room, 60 in another room and then we seat 120 up front so we have that flexibility,” says Lookout owner Mike Kinnan.
Lookout Bar and Grill, located near the Maple Grove Community Center, expects to serve hockey families.
The National High School tournament will bring 50 teams to the area, most from states that don’t have the hockey infrastructure of Minnesota. But there will still be a lot of talent on the ice and local youth hockey coaches are encouraging their players to check out the action.
“It’s going to be an opportunity for our players to see some of the best amateur hockey in the nation,” says Brian Thul, Armstrong Cooper Youth Hockey Association Chairman.
See also: USA Hockey National High School Tournament Coming to Plymouth in 2023
