The Backbone of Minnetonka Hockey

Minnetonka Hockey has been a historic program long before the blueprints of Pagel Activity Center even existed. That being said, Minnetonka Hockey wouldn’t be the same without it. Pagel was constructed in 2001 on Minnetonka High School’s campus, which has been an unbelievably under-appreciated part of the facility and its uniqueness. In 2017 Pagel added a second full-size ice rink, Both of the rinks have four public locker rooms for players to get ready to use the ice that is made available year-round for youth players of all levels, highschoolers and even adults looking forward to a skate with some buddies. Pagel is used for the Minnetonka boys and girls high school programs. The high school programs take advantage of the two luxurious workout rooms with state-of-the-art equipment and recovery tools, and the recently improved shooting area in rink 2 with four shooting tarps is made available as long as the rink is open. Both high school teams also have locker rooms which include stalls to hang their gear, a stick rack for all players to leave their sticks, a skate sharpener, and dry stalls to leave their clothes, shoes, and other personal belongings when they enter the locker room. The locker rooms also have showers and a bathroom area to clean off after skates so the athletes can go on with their day immediately after skating! Not only is pagel a rink but it’s a staple in the Minnetonka community. There are so many fond memories in people’s lives at Pagel Activity Center, from watching their kids skate for the first time to their last senior in high school skate for the last time! Pagel is truly one of a kind when it comes to Minnesota hockey rinks!

Some of Minnetonka’s Finest

Hockey is a sport that is brought together by the community, friends, families, and local businesses. One of the biggest outliers in any hockey program is the community. It can make or break an up-and-coming program and it can solidify a historic program. The Minnetonka hockey community is nothing short of special. Whether it’s the notorious North American Pond Hockey Tournament which attracts people from all over the state, to even just having a team dinner at Maynard’s. There are many staples throughout the community. When I wrote a survey I asked people what are some of the most supportive and best local businesses tied with the Minnetonka hockey community. Maynard’s was one of the first that flew onto the radar which makes sense, Maynard’s are huge supporters of the entire hockey program and host so many events and sponsor just as many. Hanus Sports was also one that was mentioned multiple times, Hanus a local sporting goods store has been around since 1984. Hanus has been a huge help to the community by contributing to local initiatives, supporting youth sports programs, and even sponsoring community events. Another business that has recently come to light is Peak Performance. Peak Performance is owned and operated by Dr Tim Jandro his goal is to help children and young adults become the best versions of themselves mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally. He has been a huge contributor to the High School team over the last couple of years. From helping kids regain confidence to just plain out being a mentor to young men. These are just a few of the many businesses that allow the Minnetonka Youth Hockey Association and the Minnetonka High School team to do what they do and achieve so much success at what they do.

The History of Minnetonka High School Hockey

The history of Minnetonka Hockey goes way back and beyond the success in the last 10 years. The Minnetonka High School hockey program came to life in 1952 run by head coach Bud Leak. They started strong with their first winning season in 1954, they made it their first region final in their 1958-1959 season.  In February of 1970 the infamous Rink A was built, a standard 200×85 sheet of ice, with seating that fits up to 1000 people for fans to enjoy both Minnetonka & Hopkins boys high school hockey games.  In 1975 Bud finished his coaching run with Minnetonka after a great 20 years with the skippers. Next up to run the Skippers was Mike Larson, Larson coached from 1975-1980. In the 5 years of coaching for Tonka, he made it to the section semifinal three times and quarterfinal twice. Then stepped in John Erickson, Erickson led the skippers from 1981-1990, in which they made many new accomplishments. They made it to the state tournament for the first time in 1984-1985 in which they took 6th place, this was a huge moment for the skippers as they had always been a good team but could never get to that next level and make it to the tournament. The next 4 years in a row they made it to the section final but couldn’t make it. The next year in the 1989-1990 season they finally made it back to the tournament in which they took 3rd place. In 1990-1991 Tom Klein began to lead the skippers, in his 7 years of coaching he brought the skippers to the state tournament once in 1993-1994. When 1998 came around former Skipper hockey player and standout Tim Hanus decided he wanted to coach the skippers, during his time coaching, Pagel Activity Centers 1st rink was opened on the campus of Minnetonka High, with 4 public locker rooms and 2 varsity dressing rooms for the boys and girls teams, Pagel was something out of a dream for the up and coming student-athletes. In Hanus’s first year coaching, he brought the skippers to a section final, he would also bring them to a section final in 2003-2004. After the 2003-2004 season, Ken Pauly stepped in for 3 years, they did make it to the state tournament in 2005-2006 and ended up getting 5th place. In 2007 Minnetonka Alumni and Notre Dame Hockey player, Brian Urick came back and led the Skippers, in his first year with the Skippers they went 24-4 falling short in the section final. 2 years later they went 27-2-2 just falling short in the state championship to an unbelievable Edina team. This was the best season Tonka had seen so far, but things were about to change, Urick stepped down, and in came another Minnetonka Alumni Sean Goldsworthy, In Goldsworthys first year with the skippers in 2017-2018 they went 27-2-2 and finally broke the seal and beat Duluth East in the state championship. Only 5 years later they would beat Edina to win their second state championship under Goldsworthy. None of this history though would be possible without the unbelievable alumni that come back and give out information and experience. For example, Jake and Max Gardiner came back to Tonka after their respective careers. Even more recent players like Hagen Burrows, Javon Moore and John Stout who were all nominated for the Mr. Hockey awards are always around the rink helping out with future players and showing them how special Minnetonka is.  Most important are the Alumni who come back and help coach and grow the program to new heights. Steve Aronson, Stevie Johnson, Jack Ramsey, Mike Johnson, and Thomas Schutt are all alumni who helped out just this year. The history of Minnetonka is so special because it’s what keeps people coming back.