Herb Brooks Holiday Classic Honors Minnesota Hockey Legend
Media Contact: Isaiah Neal, National Sports Center, 763-717-3243, ineal@nscsports.org
Herb Brooks Holiday Classic Honors Minnesota Hockey Legend
Schwan Cup becomes Herb Brooks Holiday Classic
BLAINE, Minn. (Dec. 11, 2019) – Since 2001, the National Sports Center has produced the largest and most elite high school hockey tournament in Minnesota for boys and girls. Schwan Cup, as it previously had been known, will now honor legendary hockey player and coach Herb Brooks. Starting this year, the tournament will be known as the Herb Brooks Holiday Classic. The name change aims to preserve the legacy of Herb Brooks in Minnesota hockey for future generations to come. From Dec. 26, 2019—Jan. 1, 2020, the NSC Super Rink will become the most popular destination for ambitious high school hockey players. The Herb Brooks Holiday Classic is the largest high school hockey tournament in the state. In partnership with the Herb Brooks Foundation and M Health Fairview, all games being played will hold a special place in Minnesota hockey history.
The Herb Brooks Holiday Classic will have scheduled appearances from Herb’s son Dan Brooks and 1980’s USA Olympic Gold Medalist Rob McClanahan who will be on site at the tournament on Dec. 26. John Harrington, who tallied an assist on the game-winning goal against the USSR in Lake Placid, will also be available for interviews, autographs and pictures on Dec. 30 at the NSC Super Rink.
“It means so much for our foundation and family members,” said Dan Brooks. “The success of the National Sports Center meant so much to him. To see the campus contribute to the development of so many kids throughout the years is simply incredible. By promoting high school hockey through this tournament, we continue to honor the game my dad loved so much,” mentioned Brooks.
Girls Preview
The girls’ division will be played from Dec. 30, 2019—Jan. 1, 2020 at the NSC Super Rink. Championship games will be played at TRIA Rink in St. Paul. The 51 girls’ teams are divided into four divisions as well. Returning division champions, the Blake Bears, Buffalo Bison and Chisago Lakes Wildcats look to continue their success in this year’s tournament. Similarly, the undefeated Andover Huskies enter the tournament as a favorite. The Andover girls team has seven returning players from last year’s tournament that are now committed to play hockey at Division I schools.
Boys Preview:
55 boys teams will play in four divisions Dec. 26—28 2019 at the NSC Super Rink and TRIA Rink. In addition to Minnesota teams, four high school teams from Wisconsin will travel into town including last year’s Boys’ Bronze Division Winner University School of Milwaukee. Another game to look forward to is Bloomington Kennedy versus Gentry Academy in the Silver Division.
This tournament has complimented the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament well over the last 18 years. Both tournaments have notable alumni who have skated in what has become a hockey tradition. Over the years, 1,976 high school teams have played in the prestigious holiday tournament, often a preview of the state hockey tournament. The tournament will have the ongoing support from the Herb Brooks Foundation, which will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of Miracle on Ice. The 1980 Men’s Olympic hockey team captured the hearts of millions in their win over the Soviet Union on a special night in Lake Placid on Feb. 22, 1980. Additionally, Herb Brooks was instrumental in creating the Super Rink on the campus of the National Sports Center.
B-ROLL VIDEO: The Legacy of Herb Brooks
Full tournament schedules available at: https://www.nscsports.org/hbholidayclassic-schedules
Watch All Games Live Via: www.livebarn.com (Promo Code: a87d-ffa2)
Single-day ticket prices are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. An all-tournament pass is $27 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.
The National Sports Center welcomes all working media who want to cover the event. Requests for Media Credentials can be obtained by contacting Isaiah Neal, National Sports Center PR & Content Specialist at: ineal@nscsports.org
About the Herb Brooks Foundation
The Herb Brooks Foundation is dedicated to growing the game of hockey and giving the game back to the kids. Founded in 2003 by Dan Brooks and Kelly Brooks Paradise, Herb’s family and friends created the foundation to preserve his legacy by continuing his life’s work of growing the game. The Foundation has offices at the National Sports Center in Blaine, where they manage the Herb Brooks Training Center at the Super Rink.
About the National Sports Center
The National Sports Center is the world's largest amateur sports facility. The NSC operates over 100 unique programs and events in a variety of sports as well as hosting numerous national and international competitions. These events draw over 4 million visitors each year, making it the most visited sports facility in the state. Components of the facility include a 690-acre campus; eight sheets of ice, a 5,500-seat soccer stadium, a convention building, Victory Links golf course, an indoor Sports Hall with a full turf field, a residence hall, and over 50 soccer fields. The National Sports Center also reigns as the training grounds of Minnesota United. The National Sports Center generates over $83 million in annual economic impact for the state of Minnesota.
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