Hockey Day Minnesota 2017: What You Need to Know

Final preparations are underway for the 11th annual Hockey Day Minnesota set to take place on Saturday, Jan. 21 in downtown Stillwater. The day-long hockey celebration will take place in a specially-constructed outdoor rink in Lowell Park.

The backdrop will feature the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge and the scenic St. Croix River Valley.

Local organizers will start the celebration on Friday, Jan. 20 in Stillwater. The schedule of events for the weekend is as follows:

Friday, Jan. 20

2 p.m., Gates open
Lowell Park, Stillwater

4 p.m., Stillwater Police vs. Fire Game (Men)
Lowell Park, Stillwater

6 p.m., Minnesota Whitecaps vs. Korean National Team (Women)
Lowell Park, Stillwater

7:30 p.m., Alumni Game - University of Minnesota vs. University of Wisconsin (Men)
Lowell Park, Stillwater

Saturday, Jan. 21

8 a.m., Gates open
Lowell Park, Stillwater

9 a.m., FSN live coverage begins
Lowell Park, Stillwater

10 a.m., Thief River Falls vs. Mahtomedi (Boys)
Lowell Park, Stillwater

1 p.m., Eden Prairie vs. Stillwater (Boys)
Lowell Park, Stillwater

3 p.m., Minnesota State University - Mankato vs. St. Cloud State University (Women)
Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, St. Cloud

5 p.m., University of Minnesota vs. University of Wisconsin (Men)
Kohl Center, Madison, Wisconsin

5:30 p.m., Minnetonka vs. Stillwater (Girls)
Lowell Park, Stillwater

Tickets for Hockey Day Minnesota 2017 on Saturday, Jan. 21 are on sale now and can be purchased online here or on site in Lowell Park.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Stillwater area youth hockey programs, according to a news release. A ticket is required for those age three and older. A non-perishable food item or $5 donation to Second Harvest Heartland will be accepted for admission to events on Friday, Jan. 20 in Stillwater.

All fans visiting Lowell Park in Stillwater on Hockey Day Minnesota are highly encouraged to use the five park and ride shuttle service locations, which will also transport visitors to the ice castle nearby.

Buses will depart from downtown Stillwater near Lucky's Station every 15-20 minutes from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. There is no charge for the park and ride service. Official Hockey Day Minnesota 2017 merchandise is available at Minnesota Wild Hockey Lodge locations at the Xcel Energy Center, Maplewood Mall and Southdale Center or on site at the merchandise tent located in Lowell Park on Hockey Day Minnesota.

In the event the outdoor ice in Stillwater is deemed unplayable due to weather, outdoor games would be moved to the St. Croix Valley Recreation Center.

Image via Tyler, Flickr, used under Creative Commons